Like bt cotton, hybrid varieties of maize, having higher protein content have the potential to create a revolution in the country, ensuring nutritional security to poor as well as for poultry industry, farm experts said. Under the quality protein maize (QPM) programme, there are atleast 10 varieties of maize available in the country. Protein content in QPM is about 74% while it is only 37% in normal maize. Interestingly, protein quality of QPM is 90% of that of milk, they said. "These hybrid seeds have increased maize yields from 16 quintal per hectare to 24 quintal per hectare resulting bumper production of 18.51 million tonne in 2007-08. Hybrid maize can create a bigger revolution than bt cotton has done so far in the country,' director general, Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) Mangala Rai told PTI. If monsoon favours, maize production may cross 20 million tonne during 2008-09, he said adding that maize is the third important crop after rice and wheat in terms of area in the country. Currently in India, 49% of maize is used as poultry feed, 12% as animal feed, 25% as food, 13% in starch and other industries and 1% as seed. "QPM maize is a low cost quality protein that meets energy and protein needs of human beings as well as poultry industry,' directorate of Maize Research Sain Dass said. Jharkhand's Birsa Agricultural University Vice Chancellor N N Singh said, "Recently released QPM hybrids like Shaktiman 1 have made a significant effect among farmers. However, to harness the potential of QPM in India, a concerted research and policy intervention is very much needed.' Singh suggested that research efforts should focus on states whose yields are lower than the national level. About 12 states which includes Bihar, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, and Delhi constitute over 50% of the total maize acreage in the country. The yield levels in these states range from 658 kg per hectare to 1,677 kg per hectare.