**2. The importance of maize production**

Maize, also known as corn (*Zea mays* L.), is a highly versatile crop with a long history of domestication dating back 9000 years ago. Its global production has been increasing rapidly over the past few decades due to technological advancements, yield improvements, and area expansion driven by rising demand. Maize has become the most widely grown and traded crop and is currently the leading cereal in terms of production volume [11]. Maize plays a crucial role in global agri-food systems as a multi-purpose crop. It is primarily used as a feed for livestock, but it is also an important food crop, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, where it serves as a staple food for millions of people [12]. Additionally, maize is used in many non-food products such as biofuels, starches, and sweeteners [13]. Maize production has the potential to address several pressing global challenges, including food and nutritional security, water scarcity, and climate change. In sub-Saharan Africa, maize is an essential crop for smallholder farmers and provides a vital source of income and food. It is estimated that maize is cultivated on over 33 million hectares of land in sub-Saharan Africa, with over 300 million people relying on it as a source of food and income [14]. Maize is also a crop with wide adaptability under different ecological scenarios, making it an essential crop for sustainable agriculture. In India, the conventional rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) has been the dominant production system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGPs). However, this cropping system has faced several sustainability challenges due to the high water requirement, soil fertility degradation, and inefficient input usage [15]. To address these challenges, conservation agriculture (CA) practices based on maize production have been introduced to enhance resource use efficiency, restore soil fertility, and improve crop yields. Maize production is critical for global food and nutritional security, with its versatile uses making it a vital component of the agri-food system. Maize also has the potential to address sustainability challenges, such as water scarcity and climate change, making it a crucial crop for sustainable agriculture.
