Grow maize, ensure food security

Maize is not a big money maker compared to many enterprises since it is the most dependable food security crop.

For example, when it comes to food relief, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government turned to maize. Each kilogramme of maize was bought at between sh2,000 and sh3,000.

It is also important to note that COVID-19 relief food took away a big chunk of the stored maize grain, which means that if schools reopen, there will be no flour for the learners. Prices are expected to rise even further as demand may overwhelm supply.

To invest in an acre of maize, a commercial farmer spends an average sh100,000-sh150,000 on hybrid seeds per acre, sh100,000 for ploughing, sh150,000 on fertilisers plus sh150,000 on weeding.

On the other hand, a subsistence farmer spends an averagesh70,000 on seeds and sh150,000 for general maintenance of the farm.

In Uganda, an acre of maize yields 1,000kg on average for non-commercial farmers. This means if a farmer sells each kilogramme at sh600, then he can only earn sh600,000 from his efforts.

However, commercial farmers who use fertilizers harvest between 1,800 to 2,200 kilogrammes per acre.

If a non-commercial farmer added value to the same, he would get 700kg of fine flour and if he sells each at sh2,000, he earns sh1,400,000.

This is minus earnings from at least 300kg of maize bran per acre. A kilogramme of bran cost sh800, so from the 300kg, a farmer gets sh240,000 per acre.

If a commercial farmer added value to a moderate 1,800kg of maize grain, he would get at least 1,400kg of fine flour and earn about sh2.8m from each acre, in addition to 400kg of maize bran.

Maize varieties

In addition to the old long maize series, there are two new varieties of yellow maize (Vitamo 40 and 50) and another three white maize varieties that are drought-tolerant, including SC301, SC513 and SC403.

The common varieties include VP-max, bazooka, plus the old varieties like longe10H, Wanak, Kayongo-Go and Longe5 (Nalongo).

Victoria Seeds exhibited varieties such as Yara 41, 42, We2106, Longe 4 (OPV), Victoria 2, Hybrid 6H and 2H, the Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) Longe 5, the H series, in addition to the DK and DH varieties. These can be got from various agro inputs shops around town.

Planting maize

Land for growing maize should be prepared well in advance, using a tractor (for commercial farmers), which costs between sh100,000 and sh120,000 per acre.

In Uganda, most farmers use the hand hoe for preparing the farm, while others use the ox-plough, walking tractors and big tractors.

Obviously, the hand hoe is slow and less effective and not ideal for commercial maize farmers.

The ox-plough is okay, but it is not as effective as the tractors, because these not only open up larger parts of the land, but also do not dig deeper into the fertile soils.

Fertilisers should be applied before planting. Also, ensure that you plant immediately the rains start.

Compiled by Joshua Kato (editor Harvest Money)