Maize from Bihar, UP feeds poultry of Punjab, Haryana.

Punjab-based starch and poultry feed industries travel hundreds of kilometres to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to procure superior quality maize in bulk and also save up to Rs 50 per quintal. Maize production in Punjab is far less than demand mainly because of farmers’ over-dependence on lucrative crops like paddy. The annual industrial demand of maize is around 3-4 million tonnes while Punjab produces less than 1 million tonne. Out of the total demand, almost 70% is being consumed by the poultry feed manufacturers. Punjab is likely to produce 5.70 lakh tonnes of maize in the current kharif season compared to 4.09 lakh tonnes in the previous year. As compared to Punjab, the average production in Bihar is around 6 million tonnes. Bihar grows the largest quantity of maize for the industrial use. The landing cost of maize purchased from Bihar is around Rs 1,230-1,250 per quintal. Punjab’s maize is, however, sold at around Rs 1,250-1,270 per quintal, including levies.