Maize Farming

 Maize is one of the major food in Kenya, it plays a critical role in Kenya's economy and food security. It's not just a meal but it's also a major source of income for many farmers in Kenya. Maize farming is done both in small scale and also in large scale. Despite the great importance of maize, many farmers continue to face challenges like low yields, lack of market, pests and diseases and also unpredictable weather patterns. But with the right knowledge and support, planning and modern farming techniques, maize farming can be both productive and profitable.

The importance of Maize

Maize is one of the most consumed meal in Kenyan households, thus making it a high demand crop throughout the year. It provides food, employment and raw materials for animal feeds producing industries. Maize farming does not only support individual farmers but also contributes to national food security and development. 

Land preparation for maize farming

Whenever you want to plant something, you must first prepare where you want to plant it, so also maize requires planning and preparation. Proper land preparation is the foundation for successful farming. Maize do well in a well drained and fertile soil. So farmer has to select a fertile, well drained soil with good water holding capacity.  The land should be cleared and ploughed early, this helps in allowing the crop residue to decompose. Next is harrowing, breaking large soil brocks to prevent too much bumpy and brocks that may hinder seed germination and root development.

Remember soil testing is highly recommended especially when farming in large scale. Soil testing helps in determining the level of nutrients and soil pH, thus helping the farmer to apply the right type and amount of fertilizer, hence reducing costs and improving yields.

You should add organic manure if you have it .

Choosing the right seed for planting

Different seeds do well in different places during different seasons. Before selecting the seeds to plant, a farmer must consider the expected rainfall/weather, the region/land where he/she is going to plant, the resistance to pests and diseases of the seed. Choosing the right seeds is crucial for achieving high yields. It's recommended to use certified seeds and select the maize varieties that are suitable for your region. Certified packed seeds are usually treated and thus are not affected by soil borne pests and diseases.

Planting of Maize

You can't just wake up one morning and decide to go to the farm and plant the maize. You have to wait for the right time for planting unless you have your plan of watering the maize. Maize should be planted at the onset of the rainy season to ensure adequate moisture for seed germination and growth. Planting at the right time increases the chances for good establishment and reduces the risk of crop failure due to drought.

Remember you have to do proper spacing, if you want your maize to give you good and quality yields. The recommended spacing is 50-80 cm between rows and 25-30 cm between plants.

Fertilizer application on maize crop

Every crop requires enough nutrients for proper growth and high yielding. So also maize requires sufficient nutrients especially nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Basal fertilizers like DAP and NPK are applied at planting to support early growth, While top dressing fertilizers like CAN and Urea are applied when the maize is knee height.

Organic manure is also recommended to be used to improve soil fertility and structure. Thus in maize farming, combining organic and inorganic fertilizers produces better results.

Best way for weed, pest and disease control

Weeds usually competes for nutrients, water and sunlight with your crops, thus making your crops weaker. Thus it is recommended to ensure your farm is clean and has no weeds especially for the first six weeks after planting your maize. Farmers can use manual weeding where people go through the farm removing the weeds, or use mechanical tools  or use herbicides, the choice depends on the size of the farm and the available resources. 

The most common pest that affect maize are fall armyworm, stalk borers and termites. The farmer should regularly check and scout his/her farm to detect the pests early and control them. Integrated pest management method, which combines cultural, biological and chemical methods is recommended to minimize losses. 

The common diseases like maize lethal necrosis and rust are preventable by using resistant maize varieties and practicing crop rotation.

Farm management and water management

For proper farm management it's advisable to have your farm fenced. This helps in preventing your crops from being destroyed by animals and theft. Even though maize requires water for proper growth, it's usually badly affected by floods and drought. It's good and advisable to include trenches in your farm and around the farm, this helps in preventing water from flooding on your crops. In areas with unreliable rainfall, it's recommendable to consider supplementary irrigation to support your crops when draught hits.

Maize harvesting and storage

maize is harvested depending on the purpose of the maize. If the purpose is to sell the maize for maize roasting and boiling, the maize is harvested while it's green and the grains not so hard. For storage maize, the maize is harvested when the cobs are dry and the grains are hard. Delay in harvesting usually leads to losses as the maize is affected by pests, theft or even bad weather.

After harvesting proper drying is done to remove moisture and prevent mold growth. Then shelling(removing maize grains from maize cobs) is done, it can either be done manually using hands or mechanically using a maize sheller machine. Then the grains are thoroughly dried before storing them or milling them into flour. Poor storage can cause major post harvest losses as the maize can be invested by pests and afrotoxins. The storage should be clean, dry and pest free. example of best storage is hermetic bags and silos which helps in preserving quality and quantity. 

Challenges in maize farming and production

Maize farming faces several challenges just as any other type of farming or agribusiness. Some of the major challenges facing maize farmers are ; 

Climate change, Pests and diseases, high costs of inputs and seeds, poor/lack of market, limited access to credit services, post harvest losses, limited access to modern technology and many others.

To improve maize production and income, farmers should;

Join cooperatives or farmers groups, 

Improve their storage and store properly,

Explore contract farming and direct markets,

Add value through milling and packaging

Maize farmers should be supported by training, better policies and also better market access, this will play a great role in future of agriculture and food security in a country.