Post by Trade facilitator on Dec 29, 2023 8:37:05 GMT 1
Key Actions For Achieving 12 Metric Tonnes Per Hectare In Maize Production In Nigeria (2024) - Your Guide To Cracking Nigeria's 12-Ton Per Hectare Maize Magic!
From what we saw during the Christmas celebration where one chicken of about 1.5 kg was sold for N6,000 and an average turkey sold for N40,000; the country must wake up in maize production in order to avoid sever poultry meat shortages in the coming year, 2024. Farmers complained bitterly about prohibitive cost of maize and other poultry feed ingredients like soya beans.
We know that Nigeria is West Africa’s powerhouse; it should be setting its sights on becoming a maize production champion, aiming to leap jump its harvest by 2024. In this article, we have your roadmap to unlocking that 12-ton magic!
Forget complicated jargon and dry statistics. You'll discover the golden seeds that hold the key, the farming practices that work like magic and the tricks to keeping those pesky pests at bay. We'll even peek into the bustling marketplace, where your hard work transforms into tasty treats and thriving businesses.
So, whether you're a seasoned farmer tilling your ancestral land or a curious city slicker yearning for greener pastures, this is your invitation to join the maize revolution. Get ready to learn, grow, and maybe even discover a hidden passion for golden kernels. Let's dive in and make those popcorn dreams a reality, one 12-ton harvest at a time!
Reaching 12 metric tonnes per hectare (MT/ha) in maize production is an ambitious but achievable goal for Nigeria. To get there by 2024, here are some key actions, listed in order of priority:
1. Access to Improved Seeds:
Priority: High
Analysis: High-yielding, disease-resistant seeds are crucial for boosting production. Farmers need access to certified seeds of varieties adapted to their local conditions. This means:
Supporting seed companies: Increase availability of quality seeds through public-private partnerships, credit schemes, and improved seed distribution networks.
Promoting adoption: Educate farmers about the benefits of improved seeds through demonstrations, training programs, and extension services.
Research and development: Invest in research to develop even better- performing maize varieties for diverse Nigerian environments.
2. Adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs):
Priority: High
Analysis: Implementing GAPs like proper planting density, weed control, fertilizer application, and irrigation can significantly increase yields. This involves:
Training and extension services: Equipping farmers with knowledge and skills on GAPs through field demonstrations, workshops, and farmer-to-farmer extension programs.
Access to inputs: Ensure farmers have affordable access to quality fertilizers, herbicides, and irrigation equipment. Consider input subsidy programs or voucher schemes.
Promoting mechanization: Encourage the use of appropriate machinery for land preparation, planting, and harvesting to improve efficiency and labor productivity.
3. Soil Health Management:
Priority: Medium-High
Analysis: Healthy soil is the foundation for sustainable high yields. Practices like:
Crop rotation: Planting different crops in sequence helps break pest and disease cycles and improve soil fertility.
Cover cropping: Using cover crops like legumes adds organic matter and nitrogen to the soil, enhancing its health and fertility.
Composting and mulching: Applying compost and mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and add nutrients to the soil.
4. Pest and Disease Management:
Priority: Medium
Analysis: Preventing and controlling pests and diseases can significantly reduce yield losses. This involves:
Integrated pest management (IPM): Combining various methods like resistant varieties, biological control agents, and judicious use of pesticides to manage pests and diseases.
Early detection and intervention: Training farmers to identify pest and disease problems early and take timely action to minimize damage.
Access to affordable pest control products: Ensure farmers have access to safe and effective pest control products at affordable prices.
5. Market Access and Value Chain Development:
Priority: Medium
Analysis: Connecting farmers to reliable markets and improving the value chain are crucial for profitability and sustainability. This involves:
Improving storage and transportation infrastructure: Reduce post-harvest losses through better storage facilities and efficient transportation networks.
Promoting farmer cooperatives and associations: Help farmers collectively bargain for better prices, access inputs, and share knowledge.
Value addition: Encourage processing and value addition activities like milling, drying, and packaging to increase market value and reduce dependence on raw maize sales.
Remember: Achieving 12 MT/ha will require a concerted effort from various stakeholders, including farmers, government, research institutions, and the private sector. Continuous monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation of these strategies will be crucial for success.
By prioritizing these actions and providing the necessary support to farmers, Nigeria can make significant strides towards achieving its maize production goals in 2024 and beyond.
Basic Facts:
1. Current maize production figures for Nigeria:
Most recent figure: 11.6 million metric tons in 2021 (USDA)
Highest recorded production: 12.75 million metric tons in 2021 (Statista)
2. Current maize production per hectare in Nigeria:
Estimates vary between 2 and 3 tons per hectare, with an average of around 2.5 tons/ha (FAO and IITA).
3. World's highest producer of maize:
The United States of America produced over 380 million metric tons in 2021.
4. World's highest maize production per hectare and the country that has it:
Egypt holds the crown with an average yield exceeding 6 tons per hectare. This is due to several factors, including extensive irrigation, favorable climate, and high investment in technology and agricultural practices.
Please note:
These figures are based on publicly available data and may not be the most recent or exhaustive.
Maize production and yield can vary significantly depending on several factors, including climate, soil quality, farming practices, and technological advancements.
Addendum:
You Need To Engage With Us To Learn More:
Our company is one of the best companies in the Agro-Export business in Nigeria today. We train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
From what we saw during the Christmas celebration where one chicken of about 1.5 kg was sold for N6,000 and an average turkey sold for N40,000; the country must wake up in maize production in order to avoid sever poultry meat shortages in the coming year, 2024. Farmers complained bitterly about prohibitive cost of maize and other poultry feed ingredients like soya beans.
We know that Nigeria is West Africa’s powerhouse; it should be setting its sights on becoming a maize production champion, aiming to leap jump its harvest by 2024. In this article, we have your roadmap to unlocking that 12-ton magic!
Forget complicated jargon and dry statistics. You'll discover the golden seeds that hold the key, the farming practices that work like magic and the tricks to keeping those pesky pests at bay. We'll even peek into the bustling marketplace, where your hard work transforms into tasty treats and thriving businesses.
So, whether you're a seasoned farmer tilling your ancestral land or a curious city slicker yearning for greener pastures, this is your invitation to join the maize revolution. Get ready to learn, grow, and maybe even discover a hidden passion for golden kernels. Let's dive in and make those popcorn dreams a reality, one 12-ton harvest at a time!
Reaching 12 metric tonnes per hectare (MT/ha) in maize production is an ambitious but achievable goal for Nigeria. To get there by 2024, here are some key actions, listed in order of priority:
1. Access to Improved Seeds:
Priority: High
Analysis: High-yielding, disease-resistant seeds are crucial for boosting production. Farmers need access to certified seeds of varieties adapted to their local conditions. This means:
Supporting seed companies: Increase availability of quality seeds through public-private partnerships, credit schemes, and improved seed distribution networks.
Promoting adoption: Educate farmers about the benefits of improved seeds through demonstrations, training programs, and extension services.
Research and development: Invest in research to develop even better- performing maize varieties for diverse Nigerian environments.
2. Adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs):
Priority: High
Analysis: Implementing GAPs like proper planting density, weed control, fertilizer application, and irrigation can significantly increase yields. This involves:
Training and extension services: Equipping farmers with knowledge and skills on GAPs through field demonstrations, workshops, and farmer-to-farmer extension programs.
Access to inputs: Ensure farmers have affordable access to quality fertilizers, herbicides, and irrigation equipment. Consider input subsidy programs or voucher schemes.
Promoting mechanization: Encourage the use of appropriate machinery for land preparation, planting, and harvesting to improve efficiency and labor productivity.
3. Soil Health Management:
Priority: Medium-High
Analysis: Healthy soil is the foundation for sustainable high yields. Practices like:
Crop rotation: Planting different crops in sequence helps break pest and disease cycles and improve soil fertility.
Cover cropping: Using cover crops like legumes adds organic matter and nitrogen to the soil, enhancing its health and fertility.
Composting and mulching: Applying compost and mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and add nutrients to the soil.
4. Pest and Disease Management:
Priority: Medium
Analysis: Preventing and controlling pests and diseases can significantly reduce yield losses. This involves:
Integrated pest management (IPM): Combining various methods like resistant varieties, biological control agents, and judicious use of pesticides to manage pests and diseases.
Early detection and intervention: Training farmers to identify pest and disease problems early and take timely action to minimize damage.
Access to affordable pest control products: Ensure farmers have access to safe and effective pest control products at affordable prices.
5. Market Access and Value Chain Development:
Priority: Medium
Analysis: Connecting farmers to reliable markets and improving the value chain are crucial for profitability and sustainability. This involves:
Improving storage and transportation infrastructure: Reduce post-harvest losses through better storage facilities and efficient transportation networks.
Promoting farmer cooperatives and associations: Help farmers collectively bargain for better prices, access inputs, and share knowledge.
Value addition: Encourage processing and value addition activities like milling, drying, and packaging to increase market value and reduce dependence on raw maize sales.
Remember: Achieving 12 MT/ha will require a concerted effort from various stakeholders, including farmers, government, research institutions, and the private sector. Continuous monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation of these strategies will be crucial for success.
By prioritizing these actions and providing the necessary support to farmers, Nigeria can make significant strides towards achieving its maize production goals in 2024 and beyond.
Basic Facts:
1. Current maize production figures for Nigeria:
Most recent figure: 11.6 million metric tons in 2021 (USDA)
Highest recorded production: 12.75 million metric tons in 2021 (Statista)
2. Current maize production per hectare in Nigeria:
Estimates vary between 2 and 3 tons per hectare, with an average of around 2.5 tons/ha (FAO and IITA).
3. World's highest producer of maize:
The United States of America produced over 380 million metric tons in 2021.
4. World's highest maize production per hectare and the country that has it:
Egypt holds the crown with an average yield exceeding 6 tons per hectare. This is due to several factors, including extensive irrigation, favorable climate, and high investment in technology and agricultural practices.
Please note:
These figures are based on publicly available data and may not be the most recent or exhaustive.
Maize production and yield can vary significantly depending on several factors, including climate, soil quality, farming practices, and technological advancements.
Addendum:
You Need To Engage With Us To Learn More:
Our company is one of the best companies in the Agro-Export business in Nigeria today. We train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
