How to profitable from maize farming business

Maize cultivation may be a profitable business if target yields of more than 40 bags per acre are to be achieved. However, yields are usually below expected levels and in most cases below the break-even point.

The profit efficiency (PE) of maize cultivation and its determinants were estimated using the true random effects (TRE) method. A survey was conducted among maize growers in Uasin Gishu, one of the largest maize-producing areas in Kenya. It is clear that maize farmers can increase their profits based on an average P/E ratio of 0.62. In terms of profitability, maize cultivation is affected by the elasticity of maize prices, but by the inelasticity of input prices. The inefficiency of profitability is significantly reduced among male-headed households with larger household sizes and larger farm sizes. Nonetheless, factors such as distance between the household and the maize farm, soil characteristics, maize diseases, and natural disasters significantly increased profit inefficiency. The findings suggest that maize price is a more effective target for setting support policies than input prices. In order to significantly increase PE, farmers would benefit from programs aimed at improving production and management skills to maintain soil health and minimise damage caused by diseases and natural disasters. In addition, an increase in PE can be achieved by expanding the size of farms through land-use policies

How can I improve my maize yield? I have researched various factors and my conclusions have led me to realize that nitrogen deficiency is the biggest limiting factor in yield. The reason for this is that we have been taught that corn does not need as much nitrogen as it does phosphorus. In further research, I found this argument to be untrue, as I demonstrate below.

Producing 9 tonnes of maize or 40 bags of maize per acre removes 180 kg of nitrogen, 82 kg of phosphorus and 220 kg of potassium per hectare. Or simply put, 72 kg N, 32 kg P and 88 kg K per acre.

Although many soils in Kenya are deficient in phosphorus, their requirements are not so great that they can be met by applying 70 kg of DAP, assuming zero phosphorus in the soil, which is unlikely. Assuming 70 kg is used, 18% N in 70 kg of DAP = 12.6 kg.

The balance required after application of DAP is 70kgs = 72-12.6= 59.4kgs. Assuming that the soil has zero nitrogen content, the total amount of fertiliser required would be 228kgs or 4.5 bags if we get our nitrogen from a fertiliser containing 26% C.A.N. The total amount of fertiliser required would be 228kgs or 4.5 bags assuming that the soil has zero nitrogen content!

Nitrogen in the soil is very unstable due to leaching and atmospheric loss and rarely shows up in soil analysis results as these values are constantly changing. It is the main component of plant greenness, so you can understand its importance.

In our maize fertiliser recommendations I have never heard of any more than 50 kg of C.A.N being recommended as a follow up fertiliser. The above will never be applied because it is not "recommended". However, 50 kg of C.A.N provides only 13 kg of nitrogen, which leaves a huge deficit and therefore low yields.

Yield i.e. grain (40 bags) + maize stover to remove the above amount. We can therefore deduce that if the soil plus the supplements do not add up to the amount of material removed, the yield will suffer.

It is important to understand that yields are produced by a combination of plant nutrients and other environmental factors outside of our control, so we are careful to apply the nutrients within our control to the best of our ability. It is also important for farmers to be aware that fertiliser is not just whatever is in the 50kg bag, they must be aware of the nutrient content, which is always expressed as a percentage.

Another point to note is that manure is not a direct substitute for fertiliser, especially to the same extent.

Manure has 3 main components that are not found in inorganic fertilisers, they are

The ability to enhance water retention by changing soil structure.

The ability to enhance soil aeration

Enhancement of soil microbial activity.

In production, fertiliser is the only input that does not increase the unit cost of production when applied optimally. Why? Because if a fertiliser is below the optimum point, any additional fertiliser will result in additional yield, which has been the norm in Kenya.

Of course apart from boosting yields, to get higher profit benefits from the maize industry, farmers need to invest in efficient agricultural machinery and equipment. How a maize milling equipment is key to increasing the value of maize as it can process maize into various products such as maize meal, maize flour and other by-products, thereby increasing the added value of the agricultural product. pingle's maize milling equipment has the ability to process maize efficiently and accurately into a variety of products to meet the market's demand, thereby increasing profits!