A Comparative Study of Maize as a Staple Food and Marketing Practices in Assam with Special Reference to Morigaon District, Assam

Maize has emerged as one of the most important cereal crops in India due to its diverse uses as food, feed, fodder, and industrial raw material. In Assam, maize cultivation has expanded significantly over the past two decades owing to increasing demand from poultry, livestock, and food processing industries. In several rural areas, maize serves as a supplementary staple food and contributes substantially to household food security and income generation. Morigaon district, characterized by its agrarian economy and favorable agro-climatic conditions, has witnessed a gradual increase in maize cultivation and commercialization. Despite its growing importance, farmers continue to face challenges relating to productivity, storage, transportation, market access, and price fluctuations (Kumar & Singh, 2018).

The study examines the role of maize as a staple food and analyzes the existing marketing practices in Assam with special reference to Morigaon district. Employing both primary and secondary data sources, the study investigates production patterns, consumption behavior, marketing channels, and socio-economic impacts of maize cultivation. The findings indicate that maize contributes significantly to nutritional security and rural livelihoods; however, inadequate marketing infrastructure, limited value-addition facilities, and dependence on intermediaries continue to constrain its economic potential. The study recommends strengthening farmer-producer organizations, improving storage and processing facilities, and enhancing market linkages to ensure sustainable development of the maize sector (Sharma, 2021).