Overview

It is an improved variety of maize which contains higher amount of lysine and tryptophan with lower amount of leucine and isoleucine in the endosperm than those contained in normal maize. Such balanced combination of amino acids in the endosperm results into its higher biological value ensuring more availability of protein to human and animal than normal maize or even all cereals and pulses.

 As Food

• Impact on children : QPM feeding of preschool children continuously for six months showed a significant increase in weight and arm circumference with marginal increase in height. Increase in IQ amongst children due to QPM feeding is also a reported fact.
• Impact on pregnant women : Feeding of QPM to pregnant women continuously for six months starting from the end of 1 st trimester upto last trimester showed significant impact upon the health of the babies and mothers.
• Impact on old age people: Use of QPM as food by old age people proved beneficial by providing them relief from gastric and other indigestion ailments.

 As Feed

• Impact on animals: QPM feeding to pigs and chicks resulted into fast growth in their bodies. A significant increase in milk production has been reported when QPM is fed to cows and buffaloes.

A continuous effort of a veteran plant breeder Dr. P. B. Jha yielded into the development of hybrid variety of QPM for the first time in India as Shaktiman 1. Later on Shaktiman 2, 3 & 4 were developed with higher productivity. The kernel of Shaktiman 1 & 2 is white whereas that of Shaktiman 3 & 4 is yellow.

The consumption of maize as food being only 25.6% against 64.0% in feed and rest for industrial use does not seem to be very sustainable from food security point of view. The urgent need is to increase the consumption of maize as food and of course QPM is the best choice for achieving food and nutritional security both.

Quality Protein Maize grains due to higher productivity, higher content of protein as well as its higher biological value can be better option as food over other cereals like rice and wheat. In Bihar, where the productivity of QPM is much higher than that of rice and wheat and at par with other normal hybrid maize, it can be the best option for ensuring food and nutritional security virtually at no additional cost.

The availability of quality protein in QPM that makes it superior over other cereals and pulses intended reputed scientist Dr. Usha Singh, Deptt. of Food Science & Nutrition, RAU Pusa to work for the development of different types of QPM based food products suitable to all age and income group people. The development of near about 160 products from QPM, either sole or blended in certain proportion with other grains/pulses/nuts etc. offers a wide range of choice for its commercial production and use by the people.

A tremendous enthusiasm and continuous effort with hard labour and zeal by two scientists, Dr. Usha Singh, College of Home Science, RAU Pusa and Er. Subhash Chandra College of Agricultural Engineering, RAU Pusa helped in conversion of the ideas behind commercialization of QPM based products into realities. The commercial production of PUSA-Shakti QPM Chatpati by an enterprise named M/S Om Shakti Foods, Sujawalpur, Muzaffarpur and its marketing inside and outside the state has opened a gateway for agricultural and industrial growth besides generation of employment opportunities among the youth. The other two products under pipeline for launching named Dilkhush instant kheer mix and Proteino-H kadhi mix will accelerate the social development in Bihar by enlarging the dimension of agriculture, industry and employment. Many other products are under process of screening on the basis of nutritive value,organoleptic quality as well as marketing potential. The table 1 provides necessary information at a glance regarding the research and extension endeavor of concerned scientists.