Introduced by the Portuguese in 1700, later cultivated by large scale farmers in Colonial Kenya with heavy government involvement, Maize has always had a special place in the socio-political fabric of Kenya. Maize production, pricing and utilization is a polarizing topic in Kenya. Smallholder farmers dominate the production of maize, accounting for more than 75% of the maize crop and 37% (2.1 million hectares) of all cropping area with annual production totaling 3.3 million MT. However, yields are dropping and Kenya isn\u2019t self-sufficient, importing between 200,000 to 1.3m MT annually to meet its requirements. Maize production in Kenya is mainly rain-fed with mechanization limited to large and medium scale farms (25% of production area).\u00a0 Yields have declined from 2.2 metric tons (MT) per hectare in 1990s to between 1.4. Total area under maize production is declining mostly due to crop abandonment in favor of sugarcane, avocado and macadamia. Annual per capita consumption for Maize has dropped from a peak of 120kg per capita in the 1970\u2019s to a projected 67kg per capita\u00a0 for a total demand of 4 million MT in 2022 owing to supply constraints and shifting consumer preferences. Emerging trends show consumers substituting potatoes, pulses, and other cereals (especially wheat and rice) for maize. Persistent scarcity will lead to price increases that will increase food insecurity and potential civil strife.<\/p>\n
At #SAFIC, we want to have a deep conversation supported by data and evidence, on Maize; The past, present and future. Key questions that need answers include:<\/p>\n
Do you want to have your say, share data and co-create solutions?<\/p>\n<\/div>