By laksh5382 
The specifications of maize seeds are set to change as the government plans to include “Ethanol content” when approval is sought to motivate farmers to choose the best varieties that can fetch better prices. Additionally, research is ongoing to develop varieties with at least 40 percent or more ethanol content from the current 38 percent.
In the next 1-2 years, the Ludhiana-based Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR) is likely to develop a variety with a recovery level of 41-42 per cent ethanol (measured on the basis of starch content), sources said. On the other hand, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will soon decide whether every new maize seed will have to mention ethanol content while seeking approval for commercial release, which was not required earlier.
While both the steps may help promote grain-based ethanol plants and get better prices to farmers, success also depends on the government making appropriate changes in the seed packet levels, industry sources said.
“It is important for farmers to know how much ethanol the variety they select contains so that they can demand prices for the crop from the distillery. Also, the government should consider fixing MSP based on ethanol content so that maize with higher content can get a higher price similar to the sugarcane model,” said an industry expert.
But, renowned maize scientist San Das said the sugarcane model will not work in maize because the crop is prone to cross-pollination. “Although it is beneficial for farmers to gain awareness about the benefits of the maize varieties they grow, even if the ethanol content is mentioned on the label, if the crop is affected due to cross-pollination from another variety The starch content may be less (less starch from the adjacent farm),” said Das.
He also said that distilleries have to come forward and the government has to facilitate contract farming so that no “different” maize variety other than the one with the highest ethanol content is grown within a radius of at least 200 metres.
Grain-based distilleries in India have a capacity of 742 crore liters (as of October 31) while dual-feed facilities set up by sugar mills can produce an additional 126 crore litres.
In the sugarcane model, sugar mills are obliged to purchase the crop from farmers at a price set by the government. The price is based on a certain recovery of juice and mills pay more for varieties that have higher recovery rates.