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Maize (Zea mays) is a member of the grass family (gramineae). It originated from South and Central America. It was introduced to West Africa by the Portuguese in the 10th century. Maize is one of the important grains in Nigeria, not only on the basis of the number of farmers that engaged in its cultivation, but also in its economic value. Maize is a major important cereal crop being cultivated in the rainforest and the derived savannah zones of Nigeria. Maize has been in the diet of Nigerians for centuries. It started as a subsistence crop and has gradually become more important crop. Maize has now risen to a commercial crop on which many agro-based industries depend on as raw materials (Iken and Amusa, Maize is highly yielding, easy to process, readily digested and cost less than other cereals. It is also a versatile crop, allowing it to grow across a range of agro ecological zones (IITA, 2001).
It is an important source of carbohydrate and if eaten in the immature state, provides useful quantities of Vitamin A and C. Maize thrives best in a warm climate and is now grown in most of the countries that have suitable climatic conditions.
Maize is an important cereal crops in the world. In developing countries maize is a major source of income to farmers among whom many are resource- poor. Maize cultivation in the world is limited by diseases which cause grain loss of about 11% of the total production.
In addition to being consumed directly by humans (often in the form of masa), maize is also used for corn ethanol, animal feed and other maize products, such as corn starch and corn syrup. The six major types of maize are dent corn, flint corn, pod corn, popcorn, flour corn, and sweet corn.
Maize farming in Nigeria is practiced in all the geopolitical zones of the country. There are maize farmers in Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Abuja, Plateau, Nasarawa, Imo, Anambra. Kano, Kebbi, Kaduna and all states in the country.
Maize is a staple food in Nigeria and hugely consumed by Nigerians. Most Nigerians will consume maize or its derivatives at least once every day.
The study surveys the economic value of Maize (Zea mays) in Nigeria and its impact on global food production. The result analysis proves maize to be of high economic value in Nigeria, contributing massively to global increase in crop production. The crop has shown ability to be used in combating global food shortages. Data of this survey presented that production of maize in Nigeria has raised the standard of living, providing income to smallholder farmers and increased foreign exchange earnings. Utilization of maize in Nigeria ranges from; food, medicinal, pharmaceutical including industrial uses. Increase in maize production across Nigeria has greatly increase land utilization, where more arable land are been covered for the production of this important food crop, in-other to feed the ever-growing world population and as a measure for food/nutrition security, especially in developing countries like Nigeria.
At Cornestone Farms, we produce maize in large scale, we also sell maize seeds and all inputs needed for your maize farm. Click Below….
