It comes after wheat and rice in terms of world importance. The presence of a dark colored layer at the base of the maize grain is also an indicator for the appropriate time of harvest for silage production. Result of the net farm income nfi and return on naira invested roi per hectare were n57, 052. Maize farming may be a simple business to start but behind it are requirements needed to gain success. The need to cultivate maize is very relevant as it is known to be a staple crop. Characteristics of smallholder maize farming in kenya. The grey leaf spot disease, which is caused by a fungus known as cercospora zeaemaydis, appears in the form of necrotic lesions dry brownyellow wounds or patches on the leaves of maize plants. In 2019, maize production for uganda was 2,800 tonnes. Percentage of farmers using formal credit, ethiopia, kenya, tanzania. Over 80% of the households use the uprooting method to control striga in their farms. It is widely eaten in various forms and more than 900 million africans depend on maize every year because it is often cheaper than. Maize production, economic analysis, peasant farmers. Maize is a staple food to a large proportion of people in kenya nearly all agricultural households plant maize smallscale production dominates 70% of total production there has, however, been evidence of stagnation in maize production and productivity increasing gap between production and consumption. Maize farming in kenya, it is the single most extensively grown crop in kenya.
Maize farmers face a new disease that has recently hampered the production of maize grain. July 2018 national synthesis maize, beans and wheat production in most parts of the country. Adoption of maize and wheat technologies in eastern africa. The response of maize production in kenya to economic. The boom and bust in maize production and prices is not a unique kenyan challenge.
Environmental change and maize innovation in kenya. Maize with a high percentage of translucent of hard endosperm is preferred by the dry milling industry, because it produces more of the popular highquality and highvalue products sought after than does soft maize. At the national level, hybrid and ordinary maize should be reported separately owing to widely different yields. Kenyas ministry of agriculture reported a price of ksh. This also applies to maize farming, which is a major staple food and livelihood activity for smallholder farmers of kwanza district, trans nzoia county, kenya. The farmers, however, have limited access to formal maize markets thus reducing income earned from maize farming. Knowing the fact that maize is commonly used in different area especially as a food supply to a lot of countries. A study of the regional maize market and marketing costs december 31, 2009 agriculture and rural development unit aftar sustainable development department country department 1, tanzania, uganda and burundi africa region document of the world bank public disclosure authorized public disclosure authorized public disclosure authorized. Maize lethal necrosis is a disease that is slowly threatening maize production in the country. Agriculture in kenya, farming, livestock, role and challenges. Maize seed, farmers preference, adoption, survival analysis, choice experiment, mexico. Production and yield jumped in the net exporters uganda and rwanda, while yield fell in malawi and kenya which imported maize during the crisis.
Stem borers and striga weed account for losses in maize in the eastern and southern africa region of 1540% and 20100%. Management of dual purpose maize this involves harvesting maize at various stages for grain. So, in kenyas smallholder sector, maize is commonly. Maize is a staple crop in zimbabwe and hence bears important implications for poverty alleviation and food security attainment. Its average per capital consumption is 103kg per person, relished by both the rich and the poor alike. The response of maize production in kenya to economic incentives. Chemical composition of the maize kernel components % carbohydrates 84,0 protein 10,9 fat 4,5 minerals 1,3 table 1. The national accelerated agricultural inputs access programme naaiap a subsidy programme established in 2006 was envisioned as a safety net programme that would address the problem of food insecurity and poverty among resource poor farmers. Today well discussing how you can start your own maize farming business in nigeria.
This disease that is the combination of two viruses is causing wilting and sweeping maize field all over the country by bringing havoc and confusion to farmers who practice maize farming in kenya in 2020. Maize is not only a major cereal crop in the present day world but it. Kenya flat fuite was introduced by european settlers. Nafziger encyclopedia of life support systems eolss 1. Mr kili cultivates 400 acres of maize and 600 acres of wheat.
Unlike rice farming, much more of our land can easily be used for maize farming. Western kenya is famously recognized for its production of kenya \s staple food crop, maize. Adoption of improved seed has continued to rise gradually, now representing an estimated 44 percent of maize area in eastern and southern africa outside south africa, and 60 percent of maize area in west and central. Maize farming the kitooro batakaka twimuke group generated their biggestever profit from their maize crop. Maize plays a prominent role in livestock nutrition as it is the best energy source for livestock. Potatoes are generally grown in the higher altitude areas, in 15 counties, on rainfed land, where they compete favorably with maize production. A new maize disease in kenya the wounds may merge to cause.
In terms of severity, striga currently claims over 40% of the households maize crop. Profitability and production efficiency of smallscale. Maize is a primary staple for 96 per cent of kenyans, and over 75 per cent of total maize output is produced by smallholder farmers. Smallholder farmers grow maize either as a sole crop or as an intercrop, but intercropping is more prevalent for the vast majority of small farms in all agroecological zones 8, 21. Maize farming and production business in africa is a highpotential opportunity for the continent. Abstract maize is kenya s principal crop and is wholly dependent on rainfall, while only about 17% of the country is suitable for rainfed crop production. Some admixture yith the local caribbean flint must have taken place, which probably accounts for the proportion of yellow and purple kernels seen in small farmers fields. Kenyan farmers mull largescale cultivation of genetically. Infestation and damage by pests have been ranked as the third most important constraint upon maize production in semiarid eastern kenya after moisture stress and poor soil fertility songa et al. Land preparation use any method mechanical, chemical and manual that can adequately remove weeds and keep the soil loose for good seedbed. Starter guide to profitable potato farming cropnuts. Regional workshop on an integrated policy approach to commercializing smallholder maize production.
Maize farming in kenya maize is the staple food in kenya. Maize farming in kenya, unearth untapped white gold. How i harvest 40 bags of maize per acre daily nation. This reduces the plants ability to manufacture its own food from sunlight photosynthesis. Investigating to understand the determinants of maize yields among small scale farmers is therefore an important area of study. History of kenyan maize production, marketing and policies lilian kirimi. Introduction maize zea mays l is the most important and most widely distributed cereal in the world after wheat and rice. Growing maize for food and fodder home kenya agricultural. Increase your income by adding value to farm products. Farmers preferences and the factors affecting their decision to. Effect of transaction costs on smallholder maize market.
Areas in the western region that practice small scale maize farming mainly come fromkakamega, bungoma, busia and trans nzoia counties, and some other parts of nyanza and rift valley. In late 2008, the ban on importation of maize was lifted by the government to allow capable businessmen to import maize to supplement the local produce that was short of the minimum required to satisfy the local market. Growing maize in nigeria choice of land any well drained sandy loam or loamy soil can be used for planting maize but if in doubt, contact your nearest extension office or agroservice center. Broad fertilizer recommendations for maize growing areas in kenya. Though tanzania is the largest producer of maize in east africa, the country still faces lots of challenges of achieving full business potential. Constraints and opportunities of maize production in. He harvests 35 to 40 bags of maize and 18 to 22 bags of wheat per acre. Its average per capita consumption is 103kg per person, relished by both the rich and the poor alike. Though kenya maize production fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase through 1970 2019 period ending at 3,400 tonnes in 2019. Kenyas maize yield is estimated to be approximately 2tha tegemeo institute. Pdf maize is the primary staple crop in kenya and plays an important role. Maize is one of the widely cultivated crops in the world.
Potentials of hybrid maize varieties for smallholder farmers in. The last six months have been particularly unfavorable for rain fed farming due. Western kenya, elgeyo marakwet, coffee growing areas of central kenya and parts of nyanza. Maize in kenya is planted by small and largescale farmers alike. This east african standard specifies requirements and methods of sampling and test for maize grains. Unesco eolss sample chapters soils, plant growth and crop production vol. George kili, proprietor, komool farms in soi, uasin gishu county on february 18, 2014. The use of fertilizers in maize production is economic only where improved varieties are used. Kenya grain and feed annual 2016 kenya corn, wheat and. This type of forage contributes up to 24% of the total cattle feed thus making maize production for grain and fodder equally important. In kenya, future increases in maize production to meet domestic. The per capita consumption ranges between 98 to 100 kilograms which translates to at least 2700 thousand metric tonnes, per year nyoro et al. Despite the great efforts made to increase maize production, the demand has occasionally outstripped the supply, requiring importation of large quantities of maize grain. Maize needs 450 to 600 mm of water per season, which is mainly acquired from the soil moisture reserves.
Improving maize productivity has been a major goal of the zambian government. Kenyan farmers mull largescale cultivation of genetically modified maize september 14, 2017 nairobi, sept. From independence in 1963 to the oil crisis in 1973, the agricultural sector expanded by undergoing two basic changes. At the national level, hybrid and ordinary maize should be reported separately owing to widely different yields and. Before maize production of uganda started to increase to reach a level of 2,800 tonnes in 2019, it went through a trough reaching a low of 286 tonnes in 1980. Maize minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Maize is an important staple crop in kenya, socially, politically. The most adequate moment for harvest of maize during the vegetation is the so called wax ripening phase of the maize grain.
History of kenyan maize production, marketing and policies. Until a few years ago, more than 60 per cent of the farmers wanted this variety. It is the staple food in kenya, grown both by small and large scale farmers. Commercial agriculture produces about 98% of maize in south africa, while the remaining 2% is produced by the developing agriculture. Name of implementing pakanyi brain injury group organization contact address co p. Potentials of hybrid maize varieties for smallholder farmers. It is a good business venture because demand is always there and supply is limited many times, but a lot a few times. To farmers maize farming in kenya, it is the single most extensively grown crop in kenya.
Successful maize production depends on the correct application of production inputs that will sustain the environment as well as agricultural production. Factors influencing maize production in rural kenya. Hassan rm, corbett jd and k njoroge combining georeferenced survey. The standard applies to maize corn for direct human consumption, i. African countries including kenya with the largest production from small scale farmers. List of herbicides used for weed control on maize farm. Maize is the primary staple crop in kenya and plays an important role in the livelihood of.
This is in press version of the article and page numbers are not for citation purposes. Harvesting has commenced in most regions apart from north rift and some parts of south rift. Maize also known as corn in some countries is one of the most common and important food crops across africa. O box 3014800100 nairobi, kenya abstract a baseline survey to document farmers perception and application of sustainable agricultural. Small scale maize farmers in western kenya zakenya. Phosphate fertilizers should be applied in the planting holes in the time of sowing while nitrogen fertilizers should be top dressed when maize is knee high 4560 cm high. A new high yielding maize seed variety developed by the kenya agricultural research institute kari in the agricultural development corporation adc farm has been launched in the country. Wheat production will remain flat as farmers respond to lower prices. Maize is hugely important to the people of kabarole district of uganda, both as food and as a cash crop. Maize production maize is the most important cereal grain in the country 65% of staple food calories mohajan, 2014 40% of total crop area in kenya era, 2015 produced by a large majority of smallholder farmers 2 3300. The continued subdivision of large wheat farm makes wheat farming increasingly unviable. The purpose of the study was to investigate the determinants of maize yields among small scale farmers in trans nzoia west sub. Half of the production consists of white maize, for human food consumption. Planting strategies of maize farmers in kenya agecon search.
The local yellow maize in east africa probably was derived from the early. Oluoch 1the african agricultural technology foundation 2international centre of insect physiology and ecology. Green maize, fresh on the cob, is eaten roasted or boiled separately or mixed with legumes. This was a scandal in kenya that became public in january 2009, over the sale of imported maize. Get assured market access for your crops by growing in small portions. Use technology to increase maize production in kenya. On average maize yield is 8 bags per acre in bungoma. Maize crop production in kenya has faced a lot of challenges over the. Egerton university food and agriculture organization. Maize zea mays is an annual crop belonging to the poaceae family. Large as well as smallscale farmers produce the crop and a large percentage of the population depends on maize farming as an incomegenerating crop. Fertilizer is used predominantly on maize and agricultural marketing is dominated by maize sales among smallholders govereh et al. Profitability and production efficiency of smallscale maize. Fasnairobi forecasts a marginal increase in corn production in kenya in the marketing year my 20162017 because of government of kenya gok and county governments support to farmers.
It is the staple food for more than 80 per cent of the population. A new maize disease in kenya the wounds may merge to cause extensive leaf blighting burnt appearance. Analysis of farm level surveys from 1992 and 2002 indicates slight increases in the use of improved maize varieties and fertilizer, but a substantial decrease in the. Maize yield trends and agricultural policy in east africa. It causes poor grain filling of the maize cobs and therefore reduces the maize yields and farmers income. The local yellow maize in east africa probably was derived from the early introductions of the caribbean flint and from later introductions of yellow dents from south africa. Maize consumption and production in kenya maize is the main staple in the diet of over 85 per cent of the population in kenya.
The last distinct type of maize to arrive in east africa was the high altitude race cuzco from peru grobman et al. The use of maize forage for animal feeding is becoming very important on small scale mixed farms in kenya. Maize is the one of the most important food crops in tanzania, it comprises 45% of the cultivated area. Maize production practises for increased productivity among small holder farmers in central kenya 1 mbure g. Smallholder maize production efficiency in kenya john olwande. Planting strategies of maize farmers in kenya citeseerx. Dent corn dent corn is farm animals and more gluten of kernel tone to egg and mea from the production point of corn gives a g resistance period variety nutrients limates the suitable climate for well growth and development of. Ngae 1 1kenya agricultural research institute, muguga south p. Analysis of economic efficiency of maize production in ganye.
Kenyans consume maize in a wide variety of ways ugali, porridges and beer. Incentives for maize production in kenya and the problem. Production challenges by farmers in cheptais subcounty, kenya article pdf available february 2015 with 2,036 reads how we measure reads. Maize production, productivity and profitability are crucial for. Maize is the staple food in zambia and most smallscale farming households are engaged in maize production.
The establishment of ethiopias input program in 1994 coincides with some increase in maize yields, though this was also a time of political conflict. Maize farming is as old as man itself, and it has been done commercially in africa in general and nigeria in particular for decades now. Striga is ranked as the number one production constraint in maize production and is severe among 50% of households sampled. A multi stage sampling techniques was used to select 200 farmers in the study area.
Abstract maize is kenyas principal crop and is wholly dependent on rainfall, while only about 17% of the country is suitable for rainfed crop production. Regular dried maize is retailing at ksh 40 per kilogram, wholesale price is ksh 37 per kilogram, with a 90kg bag selling at ksh 3,300. It has long been recognized that kenyas agricultural productivity, especially productivity for crops other than maize in the highland area, is well below potential productivity. Determinants of maize yields among small scale farmers in.
Case of kisii county charles ombuki department of economics, machakos university, kenya email. Approximately 8,0 million tons of maize grain are produced in south africa annually on approximately 3,1 million ha of land. While subsistence farmers may not be keen on having a business plan for each season of planting, commercial maize farming requires a detailed guide for success. In 2019, maize production for kenya was 3,400 tonnes. Aug, 2015 maize since time immemorial, maize, especially dry maize, has been kenyas staple food with almost every household in kenya consuming it. Pdf potentials of hybrid maize varieties for smallholder farmers in. This study presents the analysis economic efficiency of maize production in ganye local government in adamawa state, nigeria. In 2008, a project to voluntarily introduce maize meal fortification was halted midsteam by the. Pakanyi brain injury group 1 name of proposal maize farming project maize production.
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