Ethanol Demand vs. Ground Reality: Why Maize Farmers Are Facing Price Drops Below MSP
While India's ethanol policy drives long-term maize demand toward 72 million tonnes, local farmers face steep price drops below MSP due to supply surpluses and middleman supply chains. The Macro Hype vs. Local Mandi Reality Headlines frequently celebrate India's rapid transition toward grain-based biofuel production, noting that maize now accounts for over 35% of total ethanol output. With national demand projected to rise from 50 million tonnes to 72 million tonnes by 2030, the long-term outlook appears exceptionally strong. However, a closer look at regional agricultural markets reveals a severe disconnect between policy projections and immediate farmer realization. Key Factors Impacting Local Prices Regional Surplus Overhang: In key states like Karnataka, local production surpluses (exceeding 32 lakh tonnes) far outweigh current regional processing and storage capacity. Sub-MSP Realization: Market prices in local mandis have slipped to ₹1,600–₹1,800 per quintal, falling...