The first step to Babu’s profitable maize farming as advised by CropNuts was to conduct a soil test – which gave an analysis of what the soil lacked and what inputs were needed to correct and improve the soil. security in Kenya is synonymous with self sufficiency in maize production (Nyoro et al, 2007). The maize plant depends largely on nature to shape its growth, development and yield. Crop nutrition and maize yield. Areas, where maize is grown on large-scale farms in Kenya, includes; Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, and Nakuru. A bumper maize crop is the product of proper use of crop nutrients. Kenya has taken a major step toward increasing its food and animal feed production, while reducing pesticide use, by planting genetically modified (GM) insect-resistant maize in open fields. It is therefore important for farmers to buy seeds that can do well in their geographical regions. are at their highest. Persistent advertising and promotion of certain maize seed varieties by seed companies are partly to blame for the problem. There are two spacing options: Always plant certified seeds to get a good maize harvest. Small scale producers mainly grow the crop for subsistence, retaining up to about 58 per cent of their total output for household consumption (Mbithi, 2000). Authority, 2005). This will ultimately increase the profits realized from maize farming in Dryland varieties mature within 90-120 days. Suitable growing areas: Western Kenya- Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Kisii, Nyanza Region- Homa Bay, Suba, Migori Rongo, Siaya, Bondo, South Rift- Tinderet, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Narok, Sotik, Trans-Mara, Central Province- Muranga, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Eastern Province- Embu, Meru, Machakos, Kitui, and Mwingi. Maize was introduced to Kenya by Portuguese. EASEED Agronomist giving tips on how to grow Maize - YouTube Figure 1.1. Farmers should, therefore, be very careful when choosing maize seed varieties to plant. While some farmers prefer to sell the green maize, others prefer to wait for it to dry. Maize in Uganda is sold mainly for food in schools, relief by World Food Programme (WFP) or export to neighboring countries such as Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi. A single person in Kenya consumes 5 kg of maize every month. Weeding is done about a month after planting. Manure ratio can be reduced while growing maize in zai pits in Kenya depending on soil quality, and use of artificial fertilizers. A maize plant uses sunlight as an energy source to produce carbohydrates, protein and oil, which are stored as grain. Planting: Planting should be done early preferably two weeks before the rains stop. (vi) Kenya Seed Company: The most popular seed varieties from the company for high altitude zones include: H614D, H6213, H629 and H628. Most farmers practice dry planting (planting when the rains have not started); in this case, the germination tends to be vigorous. The optimal temperature range for germination is between 20°C and 30°C, while the optimal moisture content of the soil is approximately 60% of soil capacity. Soyabeans, groundnuts and sugar beans are suitable legumes … Weeding . Drop in one or two kernels of corn. (ii) Variety: KH 500-33A – Company: Freshco. It is possible to obtain both fodder for dairy animals and grain for household use or sale from a single crop of maize. C. creates employment. (i) Variety: WH507 – Company: Western Seed Co. Planting: Planting should be done early preferably two weeks before the rains stop. (v) Variety: WH 402 – Company: Western Seed. Maize planted in April is green and ready by mid-September. With this latest development, Kenyan farmers are now closer to growing GM (Bt) maize on their farms. Using the above strategies, it is possible to get extra forage to feed a 350kg cow for the length of feeding period shown below: *0.17ha is the average land size committed to maize in densely populated Kenyan Highlands and the yields are for short and long rain seasons. Answers Another problem is that farmers usually ask local agrovet shops to sell them the best maize varieties. The most suitable varieties for these regions are; DH01, DH02, DH03, and DH04 (Kenya Seed Company). Farmers are advised to grow maize varieties that do well in their agro-ecological regions as shown in the map. (ii) Variety: WH505 – Company: Western Seed Co. (iii) Variety: KH 500-13A – Company: Freshco, (iv) Variety: WH 403 – Company: Western Seed. Has a good husk cover (will not rot in heavy rains). The sunny weather is perfect since maize can rot and grow toxic molds when exposed to moisture. Conventional methods include hand cultivation, use of an ox-plough or a tractor (figure 1). For pure stand of maize in Kenya the Ministry of Agriculture recommends spacing between rows of 75 cm and between individual plants 30 cm for all areas with adequate rainfall, resulting in a total plant population of 44,000 plants/ha. In the recent past, the price of maize has tripled rising from 700 Kenyan Shillings a bag to an average of 3000 Kenyan Shillings.This change is particularly welcome given the fact that most maize varieties have only one season a year. ii) 75x60cm when planting 2 seeds per hole. Growing maize for food and fodder Written by Maurice Rangoma. One of the varieties that is Striga resistant is FRC 425R (FRESHCO) which produces 30-35 bags an acre. Each and every year, farmers get poor harvests because they planted the wrong varieties in their regions. In the coffee zones this can be increased to 75 cm x 25 cm giving total plant population of 53,000 plants/ha. Poke the top of the hill with your finger, creating a hole from 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep. In some cases it is grown on large plantations. Flinty white grain (resists weevil damage) tightly packed. There are different varieties that do well in different areas. Maize grows best on deep, well-drained, fertile soils, and where total seasonal rainfall exceeds 500 mm. Remove grass and weeds as they hinder production of maize. We give this advice to caution farmers against buying new seed varieties (which may not have the desired qualities) as may be claimed by seed companies or seed stockists. thanks in advance. Kenya Seed Company: Popular varieties from the company for medium altitude zones include: H624, H524, H525, and H526. (ii) Variety: KH600-14E – Company: Freshco (improved H614D), (iii) Variety: KH 600-15A – Company: East African Seed. How to plant maize. These perform well in arid and marginal areas with a mean annual rainfall of 200mm – 500mm. This crop does the best in warm temperature high rainfall areas with loamy well drained soil. to prevent the young fragile seedlings from being overwhelmed by the B. is used as animal feed. Maize is reasonably tolerant to soil acidity, but if the soil is very acid, liming will improve the soil and enhance maize yields. Spacing depends on millet variety as follows: 60cm by 15cm for pearl millet, finger millet and fox tail millet, and 30cm by 10cm for proso/common millet. Average temperatures, altitude, and rainfall are the best. CGA is all about #Agripreneurship read one of our #CGAmembers #Successstories through the #CerealValueChainProject at #TharakaNithi #Partnerships Small scale production dominates maize production since about 80% of maize … Spacing from hole to hole is 75cm. Choose appropriate hybrids depending on the altitude of your area. Depending on the location, land preparation usually starts in late February in preparation for the early rains which come from mid March. Proper land preparation. This involves planting maize more densely than is usual when growing maize just for grain. Treated hybrid seeds from Kenya seeds is used. Good management of maize through the production phases is important. The seeds are developed on the basis of altitude, rainfall, type of soil and temperature and other climatic conditions. Others varieties include H513, H515, H516, H517, H518, H519, H520, H521, and H522. The government's move to import yellow maize duty free specifically for animal feed production is expected to ease pressure on white maize. Suitable growing areas: Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Keiyo, Marakwet, Laikipia, Nakuru, Kisii, Bungoma, Mt Elgon, Kiambu. Nitrogen … Required fields are marked *, Maize farming in Kenya is the backbone of food security in this. Maize that is planted early also benefits from nitrogen flush – this is a process where the newly planted maize benefits from nitrogen fixed into the soil from the atmosphere at the onset of the rains before it is lost through leaching. Depending on the rainfall levels, you might need to weed two or three times. Maize planted after the rains have started cannot germinate well because the soil temperatures tend to go down as the rains persist. Areas where the varieties do well include Taita Taveta, Mwatate, Lamu, Mpeketoni, Homa Bay, Rongo, Unguja and Siaya. Maize cob droops when dry, reducing rotting. Maize is a staple food to a large proportion of people in rural Kenya. Maize growing in Kenya and Tanzania. This approach is not effective because seed stockists will always recommend any variety especially that of stock that is not moving. Slightly tolerant to Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) disease. Maize growing in Kenya and Tanzania is important mainly because it A. is the staple food. Good for green maize (remains green longer). Are you practicing maize farming in Kenya in 2020. Check if the variety is prone to lodging (falling due to wind) if the ears open early before maturity, which allows water and rotting, the yield and any other negative characteristic. Rainfall is 600 to 800 mm, growing season is relatively short (80-120 days). Conservation Agriculture, includes spraying with recommended herbicides and crop residue management. Let us know in the comments section below. Before we start there… (v) Variety: 600–15A – Company: East African Seed. Low tem­per­at­ures af­fect their flower­ing and seed form­a­tion. Planting only when the rains have come will help the maize seeds to germinate and grow well. The high supply during harvest time makes the prices a little low. Soils and climate. 》General Advice on Maize Crop Farming Maize is grown mainly as staple food in many parts of Sub Sahara.Its grown for consumption, livestock feeds and for earning money.Not much harvest is realized per Hectare in many parts of Africa, mainly due to lack of PROPER FARMING PRACTICE And lack of inputs. Well fed cow More milk. A study shows its consumption will increase even more by 3% to 6% in a few next years. But … Powerful typhoon lashes Philippines, killing at least 10, Two Jailed over Kenyan Westgate Mall Attack, How to Retrieve/ Get the KPLC Token Number, How to Instantly Increase you Mpesa Fuliza Limit, Tia Clinics Kenya for Hair Restoration and Non-Surgical Facelifts. With this latest development, Kenyan farmers are now closer to growing GM (Bt) maize on their farms. This has benefited most farmers especially the small scale maize farmers Thereafter, prepare holes in the same position as the previous season, and re-use these holes, with minor repairs, for your next crop. Well-drained soils are needed al­though the crop can also grow well in clay soils. Elgon slopes, Trans-Nzoia, West Pokot, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, greater Kericho, Taita, Nyeri (upper parts), Laikipia, Lower Nyandarua. Maize farming in Kenya is practised in Transzoia County, Uasin Gichu, Bungoma and parts of Rift Valley like Nakuru and Molo. Yields 35-50 bags per acre (out yielding H614 D by 16.7%). Maize is an expensive crop to grow, costing around £300/acre, so getting it right and achieving good yields are important. Research has shown that if a farmer plants two weeks after the onset of the rains, they lose an average of 2½ bags of maize per acre per week. Suitable growing areas: Western Kenya- Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Kisii, Nyanza Region- Homa Bay, Suba, Migori Rongo, Siaya, Bondo; South Rift- Tinderet, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Narok, Sotik, Trans-Mara; Central Province- Muranga, Kiambu, Kirinyaga; Eastern Province-Embu, Meru, Machakos, Kitui, Mwingi etc. Also what's is the best row and plant spacing for maize when you using a maize planter. The soil test also gave recommendations on what fertilizers they needed to use. The sunny weather is perfect since maize can rot and grow toxic molds when exposed to moisture. weeds. H6213 can do well under high level management. The crop can sur­vive drought or re­duced rain but yields will be low. This ensures that the plants are strong and green and the cob that comes out is big and healthy. http://cga.co.ke/2020/12/08/smallholder-sorghum-farmers-earn-big-in-tharaka-nithi-county/, Farmers urged to join associations in proposed food crops regulations, Smallholder sorghum farmers earn big in Tharaka Nithi County, Smallholder Farmers Strengthen Food Security in Kitui County, Farming techniques increase income and crop production in Makueni County, CGA and CABI Partnership for the Management of Fall Armyworm (FAW) among Cereal Farmers. A  farmer should do their research from the other farmers to know the kind that performs the best in the area. Tolerant to GLS, Maize Streak Virus and blights. Maize is dry and ready for harvesting in most parts of the country by December. Once a variety has been selected matching the local growing conditions, maize is planted at a density allowing the development of one maize cob per plant. The last weeding is done after top dressing just before the maize stalks flower. The clean the farm the healthier the maize plant. Maize growing in Kenya and Tanzania is important mainly because it . To achieve high maize yields, it is important to maximize the number of grains per cob and to increase the grain weight . Kenya. TECHNOLOGY EFFICIENCY: The right maize variety must be planted to benefit from the moisture available. While some farmers prefer to sell the green maize, others Do not pack the soil. For those who want to reap higher profits from maize farming, the maize is It is good to start early so as Droops when dry (will not rot in heavy rains). This avoids the risk of planting new varieties without the full knowledge of their performance. They come in different Striga-resistant varieties have been developed to overcome the problem. If you do not weed in time, they turn yellow and very weak. Droops (cob faces down) on maturity preventing grain rot. Every year, many farmers plant the wrong maize seed varieties, ending up with poor yields for lack of correct information. They also need 500 to 600 mm of rain­fall, well-dis­trib­uted throughout the grow­ing sea­son. who depend on it for their livelihood. Suitable growing areas: Western Kenya- Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Kisii; Nyanza Region- Homa Bay, Suba, Migori Rongo, Siaya, Bondo, South Rift- Tinderet, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Narok, Sotik, Trans-Mara; Central Province- Muranga, Kiambu, Kirinyaga; Eastern Province-Embu, Meru, Machakos, Kitui, Mwingi etc. D. is raw material for oil industries. The Warehouse Receipt System; Will it Solve Farmer Problems? Suitable growing areas: Mt. READ The farming philosophy of a top maize farmer. Yields are negatively affected by late planting. Land must be well tilled. Important maize planting tips: In order to get a good maize crop, farmers need to go by the following planting tips: Land preparation: The land to be used for planting should be prepared early enough. colors, sizes and shapes. The trend in total maize output in Kenya for the period 1972 to 2008, shown in figure 1.1, reveals that output has fluctuated over the years. Slash weeds (if any) immediately after harvest to prevent them from producing seeds. 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. Maize planted in April is green and ready by mid-September. Has excellent husk cover (does not open ears, which causes rotting. Nearly all agricultural households in Kenya do plant maize. Clear all the weeds until the maize plant flowers –this avoid competition for nutrients. 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