By some estimates, corn (or maize) is the fourth largest crop of Pakistan after wheat, cotton, and rice.

It is harvested twice a year, in early spring and autumn.

Once the crop is ready, the cobs are removed from the standing crop and placed on large areas of land to let it dry.

Then, by the use of hand or a corn sheller, the grains are removed from the cob and are ready to be sold in the market.

Different varieties of corn are used in different sorts of food. Its seed is used to make oil while corn itself is used to make flour that also comes in handy as a thickening agent in a variety of foods.

The syrup extracted from corn is used as a sweetener in wide range of food items.

Reportedly, the price of corn in Pakistan started escalating circa 2010, peaking it over the next two years. Mid-2013 onwards, it started come down gradually. This year, the farmers have a cause for concern because the corn prices have fallen by Rs300 per mound.