KCEP - Maize Production Training and Extension Manual

Abstract

The scientific name for maize is Zea mays; but for the purpose of this manual it will be referred to as maize. This production manual is a guide on growing maize successfully in different agro-ecological areas of Kenya, in a rain fed system not under irrigation. However, many principles of agronomy are relevant to both irrigated and rainfed farming systems. Maize is a staple food in Kenya, accounting for an average production of 4.4 million tonnes for the period 2010 to 2013 (FAO, 2015). It contributes to about 65% of daily per capita cereal consumption and serves as subsistence and a commercial crop grown on an estimated 1.4 million hectares. Maize production accounts for more than 20% of the total agricultural production and 25% of agricultural employment in the country. It is an important source of carbohydrate, protein, iron, vitamin B, and minerals. Maize products include baked, roasted and boiled fresh maize on the cob, porridge, pastes, beer, starch, oil and livestock feed from by-products of fresh and dry maize grain. This manual outlines important maize-crop agronomy and provides information on the methodology and technology that farmers may be able to utilise to grow maize in Kenya. Climate change, increased human activities, pathogen and vector evolution have increased the spread of invasive pests and diseases in maize farming systems in Kenya. The country has faced severe disease and pest outbreaks that impact on the country’s food security. Heavy attacks of loses of as much as 100% have been reported due to Maize lethal necrosis disease and fall armyworm. The use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) provides maize farmers with management options to reduce pesticides use in the management of pest and diseases. Precise and prompt pest and disease detection are vital for their prevention or management. After harvesting their crop, farmers in Kenya face challenges of poor grain handling and management, leading to 30% of post-harvest losses, translating to more than US$ 4 billion losses per annum (Hodges et al., 2011). They also market their grain at low price at harvest time forcing households to buy grains for family consumption when prices increase. Post-harvest losses lead to insufficient food supply, even when crop yields and land under cultivation have been increasing. This is partly due to lack of knowledge on appropriate methods of grain storage. This post- 11 harvest management component will support farmers in securing high returns from investments on grain production. This is through adoption of improved on-farm grain handling practices to minimize post-harvest losses and enhanced access to markets offering favourable terms. This manuals’ goal is to reduce post-harvest losses from the current estimated 30% to industry accepted levels of below 5%. This will lead to usage of certified warehouse system by farmers to bulk and sell their produce at a price 30% higher than prevailing farm gate price. systems in Kenya. The country has faced severe disease and pest outbreaks that impact on the country’s food security. Heavy attacks of loses of as much as 100% have been reported due to Maize lethal necrosis disease and fall armyworm. The use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) provides maize farmers with management options to reduce pesticides use in the management of pest and diseases. Precise and prompt pest and disease detection are vital for their prevention or management. After harvesting their crop, farmers in Kenya face challenges of poor grain handling and management, leading to 30% of post-harvest losses, translating to more than US$ 4 billion losses per annum (Hodges et al., 2011). They also market their grain at low price at harvest time forcing households to buy grains for family consumption when prices increase. Post-harvest losses lead to insufficient food supply, even when crop yields and land under cultivation have been increasing. This is partly due to lack of knowledge on appropriate methods of grain storage. This post- 11 harvest management component will support farmers in securing high returns from investments on grain production. This is through adoption of improved on-farm grain handling practices to minimize post-harvest losses and enhanced access to markets offering favourable terms. This manuals’ goal is to reduce post-harvest losses from the current estimated 30% to industry accepted levels of below 5%. This will lead to usage of certified warehouse system by farmers to bulk and sell their produce at a price 30% higher than prevailing farm gate price.