Maize

Maize is the main staple food crop in Kenya, accounting for 20% of calorie intake. It is predominantly grown by smallholder farmers on plots of 0.2-3 hectares, usually as a monocrop with low inputs. Key production challenges include unreliable rainfall, declining soil fertility, limited mechanization, and pests.

Average yields are only 1-2 tons per hectare. Maize farming faces constraints like high costs of seeds and fertilizers and limited credit access. Food security remains tenuous, requiring maize imports in drought years. Raising productivity through sustainable intensification of smallholder practices is essential for improving self-sufficiency and farmer incomes. This requires enhanced government support for irrigation, quality inputs, mechanization, and pest control.

Local names: Mahindi (Kiswahili), Nguruwe (Kiswahili), Mbemba (Kikuyu), Mosorot (Kalenjin), Kamatuma (Luhya), Kyondo (Kamba), Mpunga (Mijikenda), Mtama (Pokomo), Kindzu (Taita), Irĩa (Embu), Iria (Meru), Dura (Somali), Sorghum (Borana), Duma (Luo), Obamboo (Gusii), Egesare (Kuria), Aboke (Teso), Ekitoe (Turkana), Ltung’ana (Samburu), Olosaiti (Maasai), Gafarsa (Rendille), Boqqolloo (Oromo)

SITE SELECTION

Altitude range

Maize is grown at varying elevations in Kenya depending on the variety planted:

• Lowland maize: <1000 meters above sea level
• Mid-altitude transitional maize: 1000-1400 meters
• Highland maize: >1400 meters

Soil type and conditions

Maize requires deep, well-drained, fertile soils with good water-holding capacity. Optimal properties include:

• Soil texture: Fine loamy or silty loam soils
• pH: 5.5-7.0
• Organic matter: >3%
• Nutrients: High nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels plus secondary nutrients like magnesium, calcium, sulfur and micronutrients such as iron, zinc, manganese, boron, copper, molybdenum and chlorine.

Temperature range

The optimal temperature for maize growth and development is 20°C to 30°C. Temperatures above 35°C can negatively impact yields.

Rainfall

Maize needs ample moisture throughout the growing season, requiring 500mm to 800mm of well-distributed rainfall. Supplemental irrigation is recommended where rainfall totals fall below 500mm.

Maize Growing Counties in Kenya

Baringo | Bomet | Bungoma | Busia | Embu | Garissa | Homa Bay | Isiolo | Kajiado | Kakamega | Kericho | Kiambu | Kilifi | Kirinyaga | Kisii | Kisumu | Kitui | Kwale | Laikipia | Lamu | Machakos | Makueni | Mandera | Marsabit | Meru | Migori | Mombasa | Murang’a | Nairobi City | Nakuru | Nandi | Narok | Nyamira | Nyandarua | Nyeri | Samburu | Siaya | Taita–Taveta | Tana River | Tharaka-Nithi | Trans Nzoia | Turkana | Uasin Gishu | Vihiga | Wajir | West Pokot

Maize thrives across various regions of Kenya spanning coastal lowlands to highland plateaus due to favorable growing conditions.

LAND PREPARATION

Land Preparation for Maize Cultivation includes:

1. Practice minimum tillage using rippers or chisel plows to reduce costs, conserve soil and moisture, and require less labor.
2. Plant using low-disturbance equipment like jab planters, dibblers, or no-till planters drawn by oxen or tractors. This retains surface residues.
3. Avoid excessive ploughing that inverts soils; hoeing or light surface digging maintains structure.
4. Use contour farming on slopes to reduce erosion and water runoff.
5. Incorporate recommended types and quantities of manures, composts, and inorganic fertilizers to meet crop nutrient needs for healthy growth.

PRE-PLANTING

Seed Selection

• Select maize seeds from the middle section of cobs, avoiding small underdeveloped grains at the tip and base.
• Use certified seeds from reputable sources to ensure vigor, purity, and high yield potential.
• Farmer-saved seed is an alternative where certified seed access is limited but may have more variability and impurities over generations.
• Market-sourced grains work in a pinch but quality can’t be assured; verify seeds sink in water to test viability.

VARIETIES

Recommended Maize Varieties

• Select regionally adapted varieties suited to local agroecological conditions and soil types.
• Key variety categories:
  • Highland: Over 1400m elevation
  • Mid-altitude transitional: 1000-1400m
  • Lowland/dry zones: Below 1000m
• Trait-specific varieties:
  • Striga tolerant
  • Drought tolerant
  • Disease/pest resistant
• Open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) well-adapted to farmer practices; higher resilience.

Common Varieties of Maize include:

Drought Tolerance: DroughtTEGO WE2101, DroughtTEGO WE2104, DroughtTEGO WE2107, DroughtTEGO WE2108, DroughtTEGO WE2110, DroughtTEGO WE3101, DroughtTEGO WE3102, DroughtTEGO WE3104, DroughtTEGO WE3105, DroughtTEGO WE3106, DroughtTEGO WE3205, DroughtTEGO WE3210, DroughtTEGO WE4101, DroughtTEGO WE4104, DroughtTEGO WE4108, DroughtTEGO WE4109, DroughtTEGO WE4115, DroughtTEGO WE4117, DroughtTEGO WE4118, DroughtTEGO WE4119, DroughtTEGO WE4142, DroughtTEGO WE4207, DroughtTEGO WE4208, DroughtTEGO WE5117, DroughtTEGO WE5120, DroughtTEGO WE5135, DroughtTEGO WE5138, DroughtTEGO WE5139, DroughtTEGO WE5140, DroughtTEGO WE5202, DroughtTEGO WE5205, DroughtTEGO WE5206, DroughtTEGO WE5210, DroughtTEGO WE5213, DroughtTEGO WE5215, DroughtTEGO WE5218, DroughtTEGO WE5227, DroughtTEGO WE5230

Early Maturing: KS-DH13, SC Duma 43

Striga Tolerant: SIFA

Hybrids: C5051, H515, H516, H519, H520, H521, H522, H523, H511, H513, H517

Open Pollinated Varieties (OPVs): KH500-44A, KH634A, KK SYN-2, KS-TP94, PHB30H83, SC Duma 41, SC Tembo73, WH505