Essential Trends • Strategic Opportunities • Ground-Level Pulse

 By Q&Q Research Insights

In this Issue –

As we look ahead to Kharif 2025, corn is emerging as one of the most dynamic and strategically important crops in Indian agriculture. From shifting acreages and evolving seed preferences to intensifying pest pressures and a concentrated crop protection market, the landscape is changing fast.

Based on ground-level intelligence and farmer sentiment, here’s a snapshot of the key trends and early signals that agri-input companies, ag-tech platforms, and policymakers should keep an eye on.

CORN ACREAGES ON THE RISE –  

  • Farmers in Western and Northwestern India-particularly Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan-are planning to increase corn acreage by 4–9% in Kharif 2025. This shift is driven by poor returns from cotton, soybean, and pulses, combined with better corn prices, lower crop management complexity, and growing ethanol demand.
  • In contrast, states like Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka are expected to maintain current acreage levels. These regions face land saturation and lack viable crops that can be replaced by corn. In some cases, seed availability and pest concerns further limit expansion.
  • Corn’s growth story is clearly regional and value-driven, offering focused opportunities for agri-input players aligned with farmer priorities.

HIGH CONFIDENCE IN SELECT CORN HYBRIDS –

Farmer preferences for corn seed are becoming more performance-driven than ever before. Leading hybrids from Bayer, Pioneer, and Advanta are seeing strong momentum going into Kharif 2025—thanks to consistent yield performance and adaptability across varied geographies. Bayer continues to lead in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, while Pioneer and Advanta are gaining trust in UP and Telangana, signalling broader acceptance beyond their traditional bases.

On the other hand, Syngenta (owing to certain hybrids) appears to be losing share, possibly due to market fatigue or underperformance in key districts, highlighting the growing importance of localized trial results and word-of-mouth credibility.

WEED CONTROL –  REGIONAL BATTLE WITH A CLEAR LEADER

  • Weed pressure in corn remains high but varies by region-Cyperus rotundus dominates in the North, while South contends with Rottboellia cochinchinensis. The first 30 days after sowing (DAS) is the critical weed control
  • During this early phase, herbicides take center stage. Tembotrione, is the go-to solution, and Bayer a commands 60%+ market share in this category. BASF follows at a distant second.

FAW STILL A MAJOR THREAT – BUT FARMERS ARE RESPONDING SMARTER

  • Fall Armyworm remains the most widespread pest, with severe incidence across UP, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
  • Most sprays are concentrated in the 20–70 DAS window, aligning with infestation peaks.
  • Farmers are adopting a tiered approach-generics like Emamectin for early control, shifting to premium options like Rynaxypyr and Spinetoram as pressure peaks.
  • Insecticide use is widespread but fragmented, with generics capturing one-third of the value share. FMC, Crystal Crop, and Syngenta remain key players.

INPUT USE IS MORE STRATERGIC THAN EVER

  • Corn farmers are applying inputs with increased precision, averaging 2–3 sprays per season.
  • Insecticides dominate the spend (almost 60%), while fungicide usage is minimal, due to low disease incidence in most regions. This reflects a cost-conscious yet impact-driven input strategy.

WHY THIS MATTERS –

Corn’s resurgence is no accident—it’s a result of shifting economics, input performance, and farmer adaptation. The coming season promises opportunities for brands that align with farmer priorities: yield reliability, pest control efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

The full report dives deeper into farmer intent, competitive landscapes, and region-wise input dynamics.

Want access to the detailed analysis or insights customized for your product category or region? Let’s talk.

COMPANIES MENTIONED IN THE REPORT –

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