This heavy diversion created pressure on maize supplies, sparking complaints from poultry, starch, and ethanol users alike. Domestic corn prices surged, exports collapsed, and by 2024 India had turned into a net importer of corn. Reuters reported that India brought in about 1 million tonnes that year—largely from Myanmar and Ukraine—as buyers scrambled to bridge the gap.
Some industry voices have since argued for duty-free imports of GM maize to cover shortfalls. But such a step risks undermining India’s long-term interests. Non-GM advocates warn that GM imports could contaminate seed systems, weaken India’s non-GM certification credibility, and block access to premium markets in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East that pay specifically for non-GM maize.
A Policy Shift with Wider Impact
On September 1, 2025, the Government of India lifted restrictions on producing ethanol from sugarcane juice, sugar syrup, and all forms of molasses for the 2025–26 Ethanol Supply Year, starting November 1. This reverses last year’s limits—imposed when cane supplies were short—and restores flexibility for sugar mills to focus on cane-based ethanol.
The move not only supports India’s target of achieving 20% ethanol blending (E20) by 2025–26 but also carries an important hidden benefit: it eases pressure on maize demand. By shifting ethanol feedstock back toward cane, India can calm poultry feed markets, reduce price volatility, and protect its strong position as a non-GM maize supplier. Industry leaders hailed the announcement as a golden opportunity for sugarcane farmers and a boost for distilleries, but its ripple effect on maize is equally crucial.
GM Maize Trials: Promise and Precaution
This year also saw headlines about the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) approving limited field trials of GM maize at selected ICAR and SAU locations. Officials clarified that these are research trials only, not a green signal for commercial cultivation. States still hold the final say, and India has not permitted farmers to grow GM maize.
While research has its place, non-GM advocates insist on strict safeguards: biosafety protocols, isolation distances, cleanup after trials, and transparent reporting. Accidental mixing must be avoided at all costs to preserve India’s non-GM identity.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) already requires non-GM certification for certain crops, reflecting the country’s long-term commitment to premium non-GM export markets. In practice, India has preferred using tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) and short-term concessions for non-GM corn imports, rather than opening the door to GM.
Maintaining this “non-GM by default” stance is not a weakness—it is a trade advantage. As GM adoption grows worldwide, India’s reputation for clean, identity-preserved non-GM maize can command higher value abroad.
Building a Strong Non-GM System
A credible non-GM system requires testing, traceability, and transparency. This builds trust both at home and overseas, while sparing India the legal disputes that GM adoption has triggered elsewhere. Even scientists supportive of GM traits agree that India needs a clear, science-based crop policy before moving ahead.
To consolidate its position, India should:
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Prioritize cane-based ethanol in years of strong cane harvests, and use surplus rice only as needed.
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Keep procurement prices flexible so that mills don’t revert to maize ethanol during cane shortages.
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Fast-track high-yield non-GM hybrids, region-specific seed replacement, and farmer training.
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Allow short-term non-GM corn imports under TRQs during shortages, while avoiding GM imports that could permanently alter supply chains.
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Support poultry and starch users with a maize diversion dashboard, hedging tools, and storage credit to reduce seasonal volatility.
Transparent GM Trial Governance
If GM trials proceed, they must be governed by transparency. Public maps, buffer zones, compulsory destruction of trial crops, and full publication of results—whether positive or negative—are essential. Until a clear science-policy consensus is reached, GM should remain confined to research plots, not farmers’ fields.
Supporters argue that GM traits such as pest resistance and herbicide tolerance can boost yields. Yet in India, factors like seed quality, agronomy, and storage practices have a greater influence on productivity. Non-GM hybrids already have the capacity to close most of the yield gap—without the risks of GM adoption.
The Non-GM Advantage
India’s non-GM positioning supports three core goals:
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Food Security – ensuring affordable feed for poultry and competitive inputs for starch.
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Farmer Prosperity – securing premiums for identity-preserved non-GM produce and steady cash flows via cane ethanol.
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Trade Strength – protecting access to premium non-GM markets and avoiding costly disputes.
As global GM adoption grows, India’s clean supply chains are becoming more valuable than ever.
India does not have to choose between climate goals and food-feed balance, or between innovation and caution. By shifting ethanol production back to sugarcane, the government has opened a crucial window: easing maize pressure while giving time to build a high-yield, export-friendly non-GM system.
If India seizes this chance, a small policy adjustment today can translate into a major strategic strength tomorrow.
By Dr. Mamtamayi Priyadarshini
Environmentalist, State Chairperson – Indian Industries Association, Delhi
Social Worker and Author of Maize Mandate
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