Corny business

Most of us recognise maize as the crop behind two beloved snacking options—roasted corn cobs savoured on rainy days, and buttery popcorn indulged in at the movies. Fewer among us know that this sweet, fibre- and vitamin-rich crop brings the fields of Andhra Pradesh alive, in the months of February and April, when it is harvested. Historically, rice and wheat garnered greater attention in Indian agriculture, owing to a number of factors, from policy decisions made during the Green Revolution that focussed on high-yielding varieties of both crops, to their dietary and cultural ubiquity across the country, as well as their significance to festivals. But in AP, maize has earned a favourable spot given its climate resilience and the role it plays in cattle and poultry feed, producing ethanol (a more environment-friendly fuel) and as an intermediary in nearly every industry—including paints, textile, food processing, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. 

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In Andhra Pradesh, which is one of the largest producers of the crop, the districts of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram are vital to its cultivation. Feverish activity takes place from the morning till afternoon—with labourers cutting maize in the fields, weighing it, putting the harvested produce inside sacks and loading it into bullock carts for transportation. The state’s coastline stretches 974 km, making it vulnerable to tropical cyclones; in the last decade alone, it has been witness to over 60 cyclones. To help farmers cope with a changing climate, Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy’s Foundation has invested in regenerative agriculture, particularly in the cultivation of maize. This approach has achieved positive results thanks to a focus on soil moisture management, sequestration of carbon and improving soil health.

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