A simple way of starting maize (corn) farming
Maize (corn) is one of the most profitable crop to farm locally and globally, it’s a multi purpose crop for row food, human food production, animal food production and industrial use like ethanol.
A step by step guide of how to start maize farming on your farm
Land preparation
Properly clear the land by removing tree stumps, weeds, debris and other external materials harming the soil texture
Use a hoe or a tractor depending on the size of your farm to plough the land atleast 15 to 20 cm down it helps to alternate top soils down and fertile ones up.
Maize Seed selection
This is a crucial step some farmers miss, before sowing maize seeds ensure that the seeds are healthy and big in size. Corn seeds must not be infected with any crop diseases for the maize to grow and yield well.
Planting/sowing
Timing is so crucial before planting maize, wait for the rain season (sowing season) to start sowing.
Maize spacing during planting is very important. Space your maize at least 55_75 cm in rows and 30_35 cm in plants. This helps the plants to grow freely.
Apply small amount of fertilizers like npk rich in nutrient in the holes before covering them with soil. This will help in boosting the plants growth.
Watering phase
Regularly irrigate the plants most especially during the germination and grain filling process. Water is so essential for young plants not to dry.
Weeding
After 4 weeks, Early weed and remove all the un wanted plants from the garden. This ensures no competition of soil nutrients for the plants.
Use suitable weeding methods to weed like hand weeding or herbicides not harming the plants nor the soil.
Boost soil fertility
After wedding, use organic manure to boost the soil fertility and add in nutrients enhancing the plant growth.
Organic manure like decomposed plant wastes, a mixture of cowdung and urine also helps in improving soil structure and fertility.
Controlling pests and disease
Fall army worm and borer are the common pests that attack maize. Use natural controls like neem and ginger extracts to prevent and control pests or other synthetic pesticides.
Control the disease spread by uprooting infected plants not infect the rest of the maize.
The harvesting
In the period of 75_90 days, maize is ready to be harvested and ready for consumption
At this period maize husks turn brown and dry from green with dented and hard grain.
How to store
After harvesting store your harvest in a cool and dry place safe from rodents and maize weavel.
Conclusion
There is a local saying in farming “work like a slave and eat like a master”.
By following the above steps, whether on small or large scale,start with small and earn big and also enjoy the booming profits and values in maize farming .