Bayer Crop Science, a leading player in Indian agriculture has developed a high-yielding hybrid corn seed ‘DKC 9188’, for progressive corn farmers in Bihar. With DKC 9188, growers can look forward to higher yields of superior quality corn in the forthcoming Rabi season.
It is important to mention that corn is the third-largest cereal crop in India (after rice & wheat), with cultivation across 9 million hectares. Besides being a staple food crop, corn is used as animal feed & biofuel and also used in a wide range of industrial food products. This makes corn an emerging cereal crop of significant importance for India’s national food security. Presently, corn production in India stands at 27 million tons, with an average productivity of 3 tons/hectare, compared to global averages of ~5.8 tons per hectare.
Bihar with its rich soils and hardworking farmers is country’s leading corn-producing state, accounting for more than two-thirds of Rabi corn production. Corn growers in Bihar harvest more than 10 metric tons/hectare, far exceeding India’s average corn output and quite close to US production levels. To increase India’s overall corn output and ensure sustainable farm incomes, farmers need high-yielding hybrid seeds & efficient crop management to prevent losses caused by diseases & insects.
DKC 9188 is company’s latest product offering from its DEKALB® brand portfolio of high-yielding hybrid corn seeds that enjoys immense trust from farmers in India. Speaking about the new corn hybrid, Chief Operating Officer of Bayer Crop Science, Simon Wiebusch said, “DKC 9188 with its high yield potential, wider adaptability & strong plant type will empower Bihar’s progressive farmers to increase their corn yields and improve state’s contribution to India’s national corn output. Farmers in the state are already leading the way in terms of corn production & adoption of new technologies. Bayer is committed to support corn farmers with innovative seed and crop protection products along with integrated crop solutions to help them achieve higher productivity and profitability per acre.”
Bayer markets 25 DEKALB® hybrids in India, all of which have been bred and developed specifically to suit India’s diverse agronomic and climatic conditions. DKC 9188 in particular provides better plant strength compared to other hybrids and delivers uniform, long corn cobs and shiny grains with strong yield stability and higher yield potential. This new corn hybrid is suited to different soil types and a wider sowing window and provides farmers flexibility in their planting decisions. It is best suited for planting from 15th October onwards and will help corn farmers achieve high returns even in difficult weather conditions.
