Maize — Uganda's Most Important Staple Crop
Maize is Uganda's most widely grown cereal — produced in all regions for food, animal feed, and industrial milling. Uganda produces approximately 4 to 5 million metric tonnes annually, making it a significant East Africa regional exporter to South Sudan, DRC, and Kenya.
Maize Varieties — Which to Plant
- LONGE 5H (Seedco): High-yielding hybrid — 6 to 8 tonnes per hectare under good management. Widely used by commercial farmers.
- LONGE 10H (Seedco): Very high yield potential — up to 10 tonnes per hectare with irrigation.
- DK8031 (Dekalb): Popular hybrid with good disease resistance.
- NARO varieties: Government research varieties suited to specific agro-ecological zones.
Maize Production Costs Uganda — 1 Acre
| Input | Cost UGX |
|---|---|
| Hybrid seed (5kg) | 65,000 |
| Land preparation | 150,000 |
| DAP fertiliser (50kg) | 120,000 |
| CAN fertiliser (50kg) | 95,000 |
| Labour (weeding and harvesting) | 200,000 |
| Post-harvest handling | 80,000 |
| Total cost per acre | UGX 770,000 |
Maize Revenue and Profit
- Improved yield with hybrid seed and fertiliser: 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes per acre
- Current farm gate price: UGX 700 — 1,100 per kg — lower at harvest season
- Revenue at 3 tonnes at UGX 900 per kg: UGX 2,700,000
- Profit: UGX 2,700,000 minus UGX 770,000 = UGX 1,930,000 per acre per season
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