Who is the largest producer of maize in Africa?

Nigeria
The largest African producer is Nigeria with over 33 million tons, followed by South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Africa imports 28% of its required maize grain from countries outside the continent as most of the maize production in Africa is done under rain-fed conditions.

Which state is the largest producer of maize in Nigeria?

Kaduna
Kaduna is the top region by production of maize in Nigeria. As of 2006, production of maize in Kaduna was 907.5 1000 metric tons that accounts for 15.73% of Nigeria’s production of maize.

Where is maize grown in Nigeria?

In Nigeria, the largest volumes of maize are produced in the Northern region, particularly in Kaduna, Borno, Niger, and Taraba and in the South -Western states including in Ogun, Ondo and Oyo. Maize in Nigeria is mainly produced by smallholder farmers, each cultivating an average of 0.65Ha (Sahel Reports, 2014).

Where is maize grown in Africa?

Especially in Lesotho, Zambia, and Malawi, maize accounts over 50% of calorific intake. In recent times, several African countries, whose staple food is maize, have adopted agricultural policies related to maize for the purpose of maintaining a steady supply of the commodity.

Which country is the largest producer of maize?

The World’s 6 Biggest Corn Producers

1. United States. The U.S. is by far the world’s largest producer and exporter of corn, with production in the 2019–2020 season pegged at 346.0 million metric tons.
2. China.
3. Brazil.
4. Argentina.
5. Ukraine.
6. India.

What is the difference between maize and corn?

Corn and maize are both terms that reference the same cereal grain. Corn is primarily used in the North American english vernacular, whereas maize is used in the British english vernacular. Maize is rarely used in reference to food products that are made from maize grains, while corn is frequently used for food items.

How profitable is maize farming in Nigeria?

If properly done, you can make from 50% and above returns on investment. The target yield for a hectare is 3tonnes. Averagely, 1 ton of maize crop sells for NGN60,000, Now multiply 60,000*3 = NGN180,000. Your profit can be calculated as 180,000-20,000 = NGN160000 within 2 months.

How long does it take maize to grow in Nigeria?

Maize matures very fast, within 3–4 months of planting, the crop is ready for harvest, depending on which stage you want to harvest your crop but then harvesting of early maize is done by May and late Maize is harvested by October. In Nigeria, Maize farming does not require a handful of training and capital.

Is maize an African crop?

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important grain crop in South Africa and is produced throughout the country under diverse environments. In developing countries, maize is consumed directly and serves as staple diet for some 200 million people. Most people regard maize as a breakfast cereal.

Who are the top 3 maize producing countries?

Which countries produce the most maize? There aren’t any major surprises in terms of the main producers. In fact, production remains firmly concentrated in 4 countries: The United States, China, Brazil and Argentina, which alone account for over 2 thirds of global production.

Where is maize currently grown?

The predominant maize growing states that contributes more than 80 % of the total maize production are Andhra Pradesh (20.9 %), Karnataka (16.5 %), Rajasthan (9.9 %), Maharashtra (9.1 %), Bihar (8.9 %), Uttar Pradesh (6.1 %), Madhya Pradesh (5.7 %), Himachal Pradesh (4.4 %).

Is maize healthy to eat?

Corn is rich in fiber and plant compounds that may aid digestive and eye health. Yet, it’s high in starch, can spike blood sugar and may prevent weight loss when consumed in excess. The safety of genetically modified corn may also be a concern. Still, in moderation, corn can be part of a healthy diet.

Are there any opportunities for maize farming in Nigeria?

Maize farming is a high-potential opportunity for Nigeria and its people, especially those who are willing to learn how to turn a business idea as this to wealth.

Which is the largest maize producer in Africa?

Irregular rainfall can trigger shortages and famines during occasional droughts. According to FAO (2017) the total maize harvest in Africa was estimated at 40 million hectares, with Nigeria being the top producer (16%) followed by Tanzania.

Why is maize the most popular cereal in Nigeria?

As we all know, corn is a crop cheaper than rice and wheat, two of the other most consumed cereals, and this affordability makes maize hugely popular. The savvy agribusiness investor stands to make a sizeable amount of money through commercial maize farming. Why maize farming in Nigeria?

When was maize introduced to the African continent?

Maize was introduced into Africa in the 1500s and has since become one of Africa’s dominant food crops. Like many other regions, it is consumed as a vegetable although it is a grain crop.