India contributes 2.5% of the global maize production (640 million tonnes). Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are the corn belts from South where Karnataka alone occupies 12% of the total area (one million ha) and contributes nearly 16% of its total production. Nearly ¾ of the produce is being processed as animal feed and remaining for human consumption and industrial use. There is a huge demand for maize and maize products because, it is rich in lysine, tryptophan, amino acids and low fat content and it is a good product for diabetic and obese disorders. Now days there is a more demand for maize value added products in urban and peri-urban areas, indicating a vast scope for fortification as nutritional supplementation at all the stages right from farmer’s field to consumer’s plate. The rich nutri -maize is available in abundance to the consumers at relatively cheaper price (compared to other cereals) can be further commercially exploited for nutritive health foods by value addition and making available them at affordable price for the advantage of vulnerable groups and other consumers at large. The project “Value chain of maize for commercializationâ€ aims to divert much of the grain towards human consumption through development of maize based value added health foods for nutritional supplementation for nutritional security by using QPM grains. The project is being implemented at Mandya district on pilot basis in 500 ac area. The project works in a consortium mode where the lead institute is UAS Bangalore. The other partners are NIANP, KMF, AWAKE (NGO) from Bangalore and the PDP and NIN Hyderabad. The GAP available in the laboratory will be disseminated to the Maize Growers Association (MGA) by establishing backward and forward linkages for production, processing and marketing. A common facility centre has been established for the benefit of the SHG’s to prepare by products of maize like., vermicelli, papad, crunches etc., and selling in the local markets. Some of the unique innovative activities of this model are: New approaches for dissemination; innovative farming technologies to the growers; new approaches for production; cooperative type of farming; Contract farming; farmers Field Schools; new protocols of health products, from production to consumption. Thus generating employment to the rural women, increased productivity to the farmers and making available cheap nutritious maize value added products for the consumers

Keyword: QPM, Consortium, Amino ac