The project was given to AAU by the state government three months ago under the Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), which is a Central government project.

The university is a part of the all-India coordinated project on high quality and protein rich maize started by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR).

A R Pathak, Director of Research, AAU said: “There are 11 tribal districts in the eastern belt of Gujarat. The staple diet of the tribals is maize and they mostly grow it for their own consumption. The surplus is sold in the market.”

It has been observed that the normal maize crop, which is deficient in amino acids, cause malnutrition. A fund of Rs 1.5 crore has now been sanctioned under the RKVY project, which will be released to the AAU in phases for five years.

Maize is widely used in the poultry industry as well.

“There is a huge market for it as poultry feed as well, as value added maize results in better quality of chicken. Besides, maize products like baby corn have a huge demand in hotels, restaurants, food joints as well as big stores such as Reliance,” said Project Coordinator Subash Khanorkar.

He said: “One of the aims of the project is to create a better market for the tribals. AAU intends to work on these lines in the subsequent years to come.”

Initially, value added maize will be crossbred with the natural variety under natural conditions.

“The progeny of the crossbreed will be tested later. This is different from the vegetables that are genetically modified. Its breeding is done in natural conditions instead of injecting growth hormones,” Khanorkar said.