CHINA: Report was presented by Dr. J. S. Li. Maize is grown in 24.5 million hectares (rob), with 5.2 tons/ha yield and produces 127 mt. China ranks as the second largest producer in the world. Major area (90% ) fall in temperate climate and only 10% (Southern China) is grown with tropical and sub-tropical maize. About 40% of yield increases are attributed to hybrids. Recycling of inbred line selection considered to be the most significant method of maize breeding. China has targeted 8 t/ha productivity in the next twenty years by conservation and utilization of genetic resources, modification of elite lines, population improvement and germplasm enrichment with improved tolerance to biotic stresses.|INDIA : Dr. N.N. Singh presented the report. Although, there is no increase in area, production and productivity in India has increased at the rate of 2.1% per annum. By year 2020 India has targeted 18 mt of maize production to meet the growing demand of poultry feed and maize based industries, as the demand for food is decreasing. Most of the production and productivity increases in recent years have came due to adoption of hybrids for which private and public sector both have played a very important role to develop, produce and provide improved seeds to the farmers. He also emphasized that, so far most of the increase in yield increases have came from favorable environments but future increases will be from unfavorable environments. Public sector should now concentrate to address issues like abiotic (drought and excess water) and biotic stresses to tackle the problems of unfavorable environments. Single cross hybrids will be emphasized more in future.|INDONESIA: Dr. F. Kasim presented report. He informed the house that maize is gaining importance in Indonesia due to demand for livestock, food and feed industry. On an average, since last 4 years, 1 mt of maize is imported every year. Public maize breeding is concentrating in development of open-pollinated varieties and hybrids. Now, the private sector is also taking greater interest in the development of hybrids in Indonesia.|PHILIPPINES: The country report was presented by Dr. A. Salazar. About 20% of 2.7 rob is grown under hybrids with production of 4.3 mt and average yield of 1.6 t/ha. Most of the hybrids are 3 way crosses. Now single cross hybrid IPB 911 is also released for commercial cultivation. Collaborative program on drought, acid soil and mycotoxin is going on in the country.|THAILAND: Dr. Y. Chantachume of Department of Agriculture, Thailand presented the country report and informed the house that at one time Thailand was a major exporter of maize, now is importing to meet the local demand in the country .He gave a detailed account of area (1.3rob), production (4.1 mt) and yield (2.9 t/ha), exported maize products, such as, animal feed and food stuff. Also, as well as he reported the progress made in breeding, post-harvest technologies and production technology. Development of hybrids and composites wes emphasized.|VIETNAM: Dr. Tran Hong Uy presented impressive growth in area, production and yield in Vietnam. Maize improvement program started in 1973 and open-pollinated varieties and hybrids were developed for commercial cultivation. The program got further boost in 1985 due to strengthening of the hybrid program. Now many conventional and non-conventional hybrids have been developed and seed production is also done by the public sector. Dr. Jaswant Singh highlighted the governmental support to both public and private sector. He emphasized that duplication in seed production should be avoided by the public sector and should be left to private sector.|NEPAL : Dr. K. Adhikari presented the report and expressed his concern that although area has increased in recent past, productivity has declined about 17% in Nepal. National program is concentrating on development of OPVs, stress tolerant genotypes, producing breeder's and foundation seed. Packages of practices has also been developed for the released cultivars. Hybrid development program has been initiated. Linkages have been established with national and International institute like CIMMYT .|PAKISTAN: Dr. Aslam informed that about 1mb of maize area has been decreased in recent past. Production is stagnant since last 5 years. Nowadays spring maize is becoming popular. Open-pollinated varieties have been developed. Seed production is main bottleneck. Pricing policy of the Government was highlighted and he emphasized that without any pricing policy, the demand of maize is declining, as the farmers are discouraged due to slump in market prices whenever the production is more.|SRI LANKA : Dr. Joseph presented the report and informed that there is increasing demand for poultry feed. Earlier, mainly OPVs were developed and package of practices have been worked out for the developed cultivars on a farming system approach. Some OPVs like "Mohar" has stay green character and farmer's like this variety as fodder.|MYANMAR: About 12 OPVs have been released for the commercial cultivation in country. Dr. Thant Lwin informed that about 85% of the total area is planted during monsoon season only. He feels a need to develop hybrids. He also highlighted the production constraints. Collaboration with CIMMYT is restricted up to the testing of trials only. CARGILL: Dr. Logrono gave detailed account of Cargill activities in the Asian Region. He also emphasized the breeding efforts in Asia and informed that many good products are in pipe line for future releases as they have very high yield potential. He expressed the hope that NARs will provide support for making available source populations, methodologies, field and laboratories facilities for screening against diseases and insect pests and man power development.|PIONEER IN ASIA: Dr. Hans Bharadwaj presented the report. He informed that Pioneer is operating in 55 countries with more than 900 research stations. This year budget allocation for R&D has been increased to $170 m. Pioneer is changing its strategy from time to time according to market demand. Development of transformation technology in appropriate areas for Asiatic corn borer, herbicide resistance and disease resistance, oil and problems to lower mycotoxins.|MAHYCO: Activities of MAHYCO were presented by Dr. C.B. Chaporkar. He emphasized on high yielding hybrids developed by MAHYCO and single cross hybrids developed by them for commercial cultivation. MAHYCO is the biggest Indigenous private seed company in India.

English

0208|AGRIS 0201|AL-Maize Program|R01PROCE

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CIMMYT Publications Collection