Maize is one of the most common and important food crops in Nigeria. Most homes depend on it as a staple food in many regions. Maize is an all year crop, depending on your choice, it can be eaten boiled or roasted. Sometimes, it can be produced as corn flour, cornmeal or cornstarch.
The majority of maize grown these days does not go to food production alone. When fully utilised, you can get livestock feed from it. Products like ethanol gas, batteries, plastics, crayons, whiskey, glue, cough drops, a common ingredient in hygiene products and many medications and vitamins come from maize.
Authorities in the health sector believe maize is rich in fibre and plant compounds that may aid digestive and eye health.
Economic Viability
Experts believe that the use of maize around the world has prompted some interest in maize as an investable asset. If well managed and well developed, like other grains such as Sorghum, Rice, Millet, Oats, Cowpea and Wheat, the economic gains, such as; foreign exchange, internal revenue generation and provision of sustainable employment and means of livelihood to farmers will contribute to the nation’s GDP.
Maize needs just between 90 to 120 days to reach harvest after planting. A seed can give you over 500 kernels in return and its harvest success depends on the quality of care you give to them.
Profitability
Like every other business, no amount is too small to start. In Lagos currently, between July and August, a 50kg bag of maize is sold for N20,000 while a ton of maize is N360,000. So, imagine if you plant maize on large hectares of land.
Market Opportunities
There is a huge market for maize farming in the country and the demand for it is high. The federal government banned maize importation into the country, which has led to 100 per cent of the grains being sourced locally. Companies are now forced to source maize locally from farmers who can supply it, which in turn can impact the local economy positively by providing a sustainable means of livelihood for the farmers and other players across the value chain.
According to Temitope Oshinowo, who sells maize around Anifowoshe, Ikeja, Lagos, “There is a profit in this business. If not, I will not be in the business,” she said. Oshinowo buys her maize to sell from Ile-Epo market in Alimosho local government area, Ketu or even Mowe in Ogun State.
“If I buy a bag at the rate of N16,000, by the time I finish selling it, I can make between N 16,000 to N17,000 profit. For you to start, you would need the assistance of someone who has been into buying maize, to show you the way.”
