Profit Margins on Maize Production

Maize is the most important cereal crop in Uganda providing over 40% of the calories consumed in both rural and urban areas. The crop has increasingly become a staple food in many parts of the country due to changes in people’s eating habits. Small scale farmers, who constitute the bulk (80%) of the rural poor, also account for the largest share of maize production. It is grown in every part of the country and a direct source of livelihood to over two million households, over 1000 traders/ merchants, and 600 millers.

Increasingly, maize has become a major non-traditional export cash crop particularly benefiting smallholder farmers.

Ecological requirements

• Soils.

Maize requires well-drained soils with a good supply of nutrients and moisture. It cannot withstand even a slight degree of waterlogging and therefore can be killed if it stands in water for a day.

Preferred soil for maize production should also be deep, well-aerated with moderate pH 5.5-6.5, and rich in organic matter.

• Altitude

Maize grows well at all altitude but particular varieties are more suitable for the different altitudes ranging from 0 to 2,900m above sea level. Optimum temperature for maize growth is 30c

Traditional

• Use of home saved seed
• No pesticides and herbicides usage
• No fertilizer usage

Low input

• Use of certified seed
• Use of pesticides and herbicides
• No fertilizer usage

High input

• Use of certified seed
• Use of pesticides and herbicides
• Use of organic and inorganic fertilizers