Maize seasons in uganda

In the case of maize, there are diseases such as maize lethal necrosis mln, which has been ravaging eastern uganda and western kenya. A delegation led by lands, agriculture, water and rural resettlement minister perrance shiri travelled to the east african country to thrash out modalities of importing the grain. However, as an importer of maize from uganda and an exporter of. Maize training manual for extension workers in uganda. This exercise resulted from the learning exchange visit to the sanku project site in tanzania and aimed to establish baseline information on maize flour processing and. However, these bumper maize harvests are currently suffocating the market with the prices of the products such as maize grains, maize bran and maize flour falling to record lows. March 2014 agricultural value chain analysis in northern. Jan 18, 2020 iganga market maize grain prices in the market dropped by 150sh and 100sh on whole sell and retail respectively dec 21, 2019 iganga market maize grain prices in themarket dropped by 100sh and 100sh on whole sell and retail respectively nov 16, 2019 iganga market maize grain prices in the market shot up by 200sh and 250sh on whole sell and retail respectively. It actually takes a lot of years to gain experience in maize. For the upcoming rain season, he is targeting over 20 acres. Biggest news source for news in uganda and the east african region,breaking news in uganda and daily news and the latest from uganda farmers alarmed by low maize prices news.

Maize farming may be a simple business to start but behind it are requirements needed to gain success. As a result of the gou initiatives to provide farm inputs, improved seeds and equipment, production has increased since 1992 to 1997 with an insignificant decrease in 199697. Uganda grains market growth trends forecast 2020 2025. In uganda s agricultural market system, the maize subsector is vital to national, community, and household food security. Torrential rains in june offset the moisture deficits, but hindered ploughing and sowing activities in some areas. Maize corn diseases and pests, description, uses, propagation. This is so because of it is easy to bring up the crop. The export maize seed market may be large but a firms ability to compete in that market will likely require large investments, higher quality standards, and large stable seed supplies. Current maize production, postharvest losses and the risk. Created by usaid in 1985 to help decisionmakers plan for humanitarian crises, fews net provides evidencebased analysis on some 28 countries. The decade 19751985 witnessed one of the most ravaging droughts in the history of africa in general and the sahel in particular. In the lower shabelle region, which on average accounts for more than 60 percent of the total maize gu output, severe dryness prevailed until early may, and cumulative rains between early april and first dekad of may were 85 percent belowaverage.

Dec 21, 2019 iganga market maize grain prices in themarket dropped by 100sh and 100sh on whole sell and retail respectively. Maize is one of the most widely grown cereals in uganda. In order to prevent these losses there is need to introduce alternative crop varieties and crop types, as well as a change in livestock feeding practices. The national working group on food fortification nwgff approved the activity, which aimed to inform stakeholders about the status of the maize milling industry in uganda. Mapping the maize millers was a nationwide exercise.

Maize seed will sell for much higher prices in the export market than maize seed for the domestic market. Maize farming and production business in africa is a highpotential opportunity for the continent. Ugandas agriculture is characterized by the predominance of smallscale peasant mode of production. Zimbabwe has secured maize from uganda after president emmerson mnangagwa engaged president yoweri museveni on the sidelines of the recently ended 33rd ordinary summit of the african union in ethiopia. Low quality maize from uganda and unreliability of maize supplies from tanzania due to adhoc export bans are factors to blame for the low level of trade between the two countries and deficit markets in the region led by kenya. Highyield maize promises season of plenty for south sudan in south sudan, sorghum is king of crops. Processed maize flour in uganda is sold mainly for food in schools, relief to world food programme wfp and as export to neighbouring countries such as kenya, rwanda and south sudan. In the capital, kigali, wholesale prices of maize increased in november by about 25 percent, with seasonal patterns compounded by increased transport costs and trade disruptions caused by torrential rains. September rainy season did not fully establish until mid.

Mar 18, 2009 decades ago, uganda had cash crops like coffee and cotton, and food crops like maize, millet and matooke. Grain traders, millers and flour distributors enjoy small margins of ush100200kg. In recent years, agricultural scientists in east africa have been breeding hybrid varieties to address a number of challenges faced by the farmers. Uganda grains market is projected to grow at a cagr of 4. In the 2014 growing seasons tanzania produced over half billion metric tons of maize of these maize smallholder farmers produced around 85%. As more kenyans and ugandans open businesses in the country, ugali a popular maize meal in kenya, has become an equally important meal in many homes in south sudan. Fears about losing indigenous varieties, multinational corporate takeovers of the local seed sector and farmers becoming reliant on purchased seed are some of the top propaganda claims that antigmo activists raise when trying to block the adoption of genetically modified crops in uganda and elsewhere in africa. Cumulative rainfall for five sites across three cropping seasons in uganda. Nairobi, kenya the famine early warning systems network fewsnet says it expects the maize harvest for the 201920 will be lower than that of 201819. Uganda is the thirdlargest exporter of maize in africa and second in maize flour, with exports dominating formal and informal export markets in east africa, especially kenya and south sudan.

Within the region, uganda is the biggest exporter of maize to her regional counterparts shipping,73,347 mt in 2015 representing 80% of total imports while tanzania accounted i. In his farm is a runway for a small plane he often hires for fast top dressing. Importance of maize in uganda maize is one of the major food crops in uganda. Dec 22, 2017 corn, or maize, as it is known throughout africa, is a significant source of revenue for farmers in uganda. It is widely eaten in various forms and more than 900 million africans depend on maize every year because it is often cheaper than. Maize response to fertilizer and nitrogen use efficiency. Maize and cornmeal dried, ground maize are staple foods in countries all over the world. The north, has one continuous wet season from march to november and a more obvious dry season from december to february. Maize is an important food and income security crop that supports livelihood of millions of smallscale farmers in uganda. Nov 15, 2019 thanks to new droughttolerant and diseaseresistant maize varieties, the ochieng family can adapt to this variable climate and secure a good maize harvest even in unreliable seasons. Over 90% of uganda s maize is produced by smallholders, of which about 60% of the annual maize output is consumed on the farm. Growing maize may be a greater project in uganda because almost 70% of ugandas schools use maize flour in as their meals considerably the about 0 secondary, primary and universities and tertiary institutions therefore, what is needed is to commercialise maize growing ensure gender equality in production this will help increase production. All you would probably need is simple medium or moderately fertile soils, seeds to sow, a hoe and some manual labor. Easy ways to plant maize for high yields daily monitor.

Including the pros and cons of the dry and wet seasons. Pdf determinants of maize production in uganda mutyaba. How i harvest 40 bags of maize per acre daily nation. Maize is grown in most parts of uganda but most intensely in eastern kapchorwa, mbale, kamuli, jinja, iganga, central masaka, mubende and western masindi, kamwenge, kyenjojo, kasese, kabarole. Namulonge releases new maize, cassava varieties daily. Maize grains prices have dropped to between sh600 and sh650 per kilogramme in kampala. At the national level, hybrid and ordinary maize should be. Some maize crop losses are also expected due to faw in localized areas, including luwero, wakiso, and parts of eastern uganda. In 2019, maize production for uganda was 2,800 tonnes. At the national level, hybrid and ordinary maize should be reported separately owing to widely different yields. He explained to business focus how other farmers can get over three tons from an acre of maize and earn good money from a crop that has become one of uganda s top food and cash crops. Preparing for this years crop seasons daily monitor. Maali explaining how a farmer can easily get over 3,000 kilograms from an acre of maize soil evaluation.

Namulonge releases new maize, cassava varieties daily monitor. Droughttolerant corn offers ugandas farmers a lifeline. The famine early warning systems network is a leading provider of early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Sep 12, 2017 in ugandas agricultural market system, the maize subsector is vital to national, community, and household food security. To meet the countrys maize demand, most farmers grow some maize on their land, with over two million ugandans counting on maize as their main source of income. Hajji badru kaweesa, the kisenyi millers association chairman, attributed drop to the start of the new harvest season in maize growing. It is eaten with roast meat, fish, chicken or vegetables. According to the east african regional maize supply and market outlook report, 2017, uganda is ranked one of the maize surplusproducing countries in east africa. Its also a dietary staple for the countrys urban poor, school children, and the.

Tanzania is a major maize producer in subsaharan africa. Dorine akoth, a farmer in northern uganda admires the maize on her farm. Thanks to new droughttolerant and diseaseresistant maize varieties, the ochieng family can adapt to this variable climate and secure a good maize harvest even in unreliable seasons. Growth of ugandas seed sector exposes major antigmo. Maize prices drop to sh600 in kampala the grain council of. Maize is one of the major food crop grown in uganda, especially around lake victoria where it grown on large scale as a cash crop.

The ears can be cooked and eaten from the cob as a vegetable or the kernels can be removed and either eaten as is or used to produce a wide variety of foodstuffs including cereals and flour. Grain traders in east africa buy lowcost uganda maize. On average, 1,500,000 mt ubos,2007 is estimated as the annual uganda maize production. Prices of maize increased to very high levels amidst tight supplies, sustained. Maize prices drop to sh600 in kampala the grain council. Most of the hybrid maize seed planted in uganda has been imported from kenya. Hajji badru kaweesa, the kisenyi millers association chairman, attributed drop to the start of the new harvest season in maize growing areas. If we spoke theoretically, almost every home in africa could start up a corn field. Before maize production of uganda started to increase to reach a level of 2,800 tonnes in 2019, it went through a trough reaching a low of 286 tonnes in 1980. On a well prepared land open up holes of about 57cm for hand planting. Nov 16, 2019 iganga market maize grain prices in the market shot up by 200sh and 250sh on whole sell and retail respectively. Uganda has a springlike climate year round and has a less obvious wet and dry season. Subsequently, prices surged by up to 50 percent between september and november, with seasonal patterns compounded by increased transport costs and trade disruptions caused by torrential rains. In the last four decades, tanzania has ranked among the top 25 maize producing countries in the world.

Of this, about 90% is used for national human consumption, locally. Table 3 characteristics of ugandan maize varieties. Prices of maize were very high in november, mainly due to reduced imports from uganda following the closure of border custom posts food security conditions are generally favourable above. According to the survey, maize flour in uganda is produced in all four regions of the country. Maize is the most widely grown grain crop throughout the americas, with 361 million metric tons grown in the united states in 2014. Geoffrey ochieng, a smallholder farmer from northern uganda. Its flour is used to make kisra, a flat bread that is the most important meal for many communities. A fertilizer that boosts your maize yield to 30 bags per acre. Knowing the fact that maize is commonly used in different area especially as a food supply to a lot of countries. Maize may also be referred to as corn or indian corn and is. Maize harvest for 201920 expected to be lower than 2018. Water when sawing is done earlier before onset of the rains. An overview of cultivation to processing abstract maize zea mays l.

Climate trends, risks and coping strategies in smallholder. Strengthening value chains for maize and soybeans for. Farmers across the country are decrying the very low prices for their maize, which have, on average, fallen to sh200 per kilo. There have been four principal and several minor theories regarding the origin of maize. Maize is the most highly cultivated crop, with statistics from the uganda national housing survey unhs of 20056 showing that maize was cultivated by about 86% of the 4. But an analysis of uganda s conventional maize market. Maize is one of the priority stable crop across the east african region. These crops together accounted for 93% of the land planted in food crops in 1988 ministry of agriculture 1990. In the teso region, where katine falls, cotton was the cash cow. He then top dresses his crop with 75kg of can when the maize has five to seven or six to eight weeks old or kneehigh.

In uganda, maize, cassava and sweet potatoes are grown in areas that are projected to experience moderate losses due to climate change by 2050. Over 90% of ugandas maize is produced by smallholders, of which about 60% of the annual maize output is consumed on the farm. Advance development of marketing groups for maize and soybeans codevelop, with ugandan farmers, groupassociations, written guidelines for joint marketing. Farmers new vision interacted with said this renders their hard.

Small holders produce nearly 100 percent of the food crops. Maize is an annual plant, surviving for only one growing season and can reach 23 m 710 ft in height. According to ubos 2010, the total area planted to maize in 200809 was estimated at more than 1 million ha about 20% of the total crop area. Where gorilla travel is concerned, keep in mind that bwindi national park is a rain forest at considerable elevation and can be wet and cool at any time of year. Maize also known as corn in some countries is one of the most common and important food crops across africa. Up through midapril, the 2019 gu season was among the top three driest on record. Staple food crops in uganda include cooking bananas matoke, beans, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, sorghum and millet. Uganda food security outlook july to december 2011 famine early warning systems network 3 income while 20 percent is derived from firewood and charcoal sales in amudat district. Highyield maize promises season of plenty for south sudan. It depends which part of the country you are looking at. Maize is widely cultivated throughout the world, and a greater weight of maize is produced each year than any other grain.

Fertilizer consumption and fertilizer use by crop in uganda. Jan 16, 2020 maize prices increased to very high levels. Maize is one of the major staple foods in uganda, providing over forty percent of a ugandans daily calorie consumption. Other than wheat, these crops provide staple food for well over 50% of. Biggest news source for news in uganda and the east african region,breaking news in uganda and daily news and the latest from uganda farmers get tips on maize planting techniques news. These maize varieties are mainly for the midaltitude and the scientists are in the process of developing varieties for highland areas like kapchorwa and buikwe in eastern uganda, which are major. Maize is thought to have originated at least 5000 years ago in the highlands of mexico, peru, ecuador, andor bolivia because of the great density of native forms found in the region. In the 2014 growing seasons tanzania produced over half billion metric tons of maize of these maize. Zimbabwe secures maize from uganda the sunday mail. Maize in kenya is planted by small and largescale farmers alike.

Fewsnet noted this in a report published today friday summarizing the supply and market outlook for maize in tanzania, uganda, ethiopia, kenya, somalia, south sudan, rwanda and burundi for. Growing maize may be a greater project in uganda because almost 70% of ugandas schools use maize flour in as their meals considerably the about 0 secondary, primary and universities and tertiary institutions therefore, what is needed is to commercialise maize growing ensure gender equality in production this will help increase production and house holds incomes thus promoting maize growing. Mar 09, 2020 maize is used to prepare dura, which is a mix of cooked maize and millet and can be eaten with various traditional vegetables. Growing demand for grains and an increase in regional exports to east africa and favorable government policies supporting grain production are some of the factors driving the market growth. Strategic marketing problems in the uganda maize seed industry. Maize production in ghana, is predominantly done under rainfed conditions by poorly resourced smallholder farmers. Economically optimal n and p rates for maize production in uganda for five ratios of the cost of fertilizer use to the. While subsistence farmers may not be keen on having a business plan for each season of planting, commercial maize farming requires a detailed guide for success. The major rain season in the month of march is mainly for areas along lake victoria basin, eastern uganda, midwestern and the southern part of the country where planting sust be done before the. Corn, or maize, as it is known throughout africa, is a significant source of revenue for farmers in uganda. Current maize production, postharvest losses and the risk of. Jan 16, 2020 prices of maize at very high levels in november mainly due to reduced imports. Pdf vulnerability of maize yields to droughts in uganda.