What would a farming venture be if void of the intent to maximize yields per acre? Isn't it the logic behind everything? The giant puzzle for farmers has always been how to harvest big every planting season. Maize is a staple crop in Kenya, and so much research has gone into discovering the best varieties for different regions. So, you have that sorted out. Now that you are about to start planting, you are likely wondering about the expected harvest. So, how many bags of maize per acre should you look forward to?
Maize is the principal staple food in Kenya, and it is grown by around 90 per cent of all farmers, either as a commercial venture or subsistence. Such metrics mean that the crop's yields are public knowledge as people have grown them for so long that it is at most farmers' fingertips.
But there is always a caveat with farming. You never know the unique conditions you might face that affect your harvest. But still, if things go well, there is always an estimate. So, what is the expected yield of maize per acre in Kenya?
How many bags of maize per acre?
The worry of every farmer before planting is the harvest. What is the expected yield? The maths is simple for maize as you calculate your output in bags per acre.
In an ideal setting where you have applied the best farming practices, you can expect to harvest 40 bags of maize per acre. However, most farmers don’t realize this.
If you were marred by problems limiting your farm input, you might expect around ten bags per acre.
As you can see, the yield reduces by 30 bags just because of the practices a farmer adheres to during planting hence the need to be careful. Therefore, on average, expect to produce 10 to 25 bags of maize on an acre of farmland.
Expected maize yield for different regions in Kenya
How many 90kg bags of maize per acre should I expect in Nakuru? One thing you need to keep in mind is that Kenya is a geographically diverse country with numerous agroecological zones.
Statistics show that the average overall yield from high potential highlands of Kenya is 4 to 8 T/h for hybrid maize varieties. Therefore, the hybrid maize yield per acre for high-altitude types like ADC 600-23A averages 43 to 68 bags per acre. The variety grows well in Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Keiyo, Marakwet Laikipia, Nakuru, Kisii, and Kiambu.
Medium altitude varieties, including WH507, KH 500-33A, WH505, KH 500-13A, WH 402, WH and 403, have an estimated yield of 30 to 40 bags per acre. The medium altitude varieties grow well in Western Kenya (Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Kisii, Nyanza Region- Homa Bay, Suba, Migori Rongo, Siaya, Bondo), Central and Eastern Province.
Also, Kenya has dryland varieties that mature within 90 to 120 days and do well in Taita Taveta, Mwatate, Lamu, Mpeketoni, Homa Bay, Rongo, Unguja and Siaya.
How many kgs of maize can be planted in an acre?
Another important thing you should be aware of is the kilograms of maize you should plant in an acre. It is an essential step in planting as it determines your bags' yield per acre. Kenya's recommended seed rate for maize is 20-25 kg per acre. However, the seed rate can vary depending on the variety, spacing and soil fertility.
How much does it cost to grow maize per acre in Kenya?
Before embarking on a maize farming venture, knowing the cost of planting 1 acre of maize in Kenya is crucial. According to the Tegemeo Institute, you must spend around Ksh.26,000 for small-scale maize farming and Ksh.27,000 for large-scale farming in Kenya on one acre of land.
The production costs will go to land preparation, purchase of farm inputs like seeds and fertilizers, crop management, disease and pest management, and harvesting and drying maize. You also need to account for post-harvest practices like transport and marketing costs. Of course, the cost varies from region to region as the demands differ.
How many bags of fertilizer per acre of maize?
You will use different fertilizers in your maize farm to maximize yields. Although there is a standard to it, some farms might need more of one, while others might not even require the extras as the soil is receptive to the crop. Therefore, the fertilizer cost varies.
You must apply DAP, which requires at least 36 kg per acre. You can also use one ton of farmyard manure while planting to improve soil fertility. Top dressing requires 40kg of urea, CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate), or ammonium sulphate (ASN) per acre.
Can you harvest 50kg bags of maize per acre?
Although the estimated maximum yield of maize is 40 bags per acre, you can achieve 50 bags with the best practices. This means mastering your farming cycle and using technological innovations to increase your yield to the highest possible.
Final word on maize yield in Kenya
Farmers have always asked, “How many bags of maize per acre should I expect?” The response will always be: “It depends on your farming practices”. If you want a massive harvest, do the right things from the beginning, including the suitable variety, planting and harvesting practices. The average yield in the right conditions is 40 bags per acre.
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