How to Grow Maize / Corn
Maize / Corn (Zea mays) is a grain & cereal crop that yields 2–12 tonnes per hectare and takes 90–120 days from planting to harvest. It grows best in well-drained loam to sandy loam, pH 5.8–7.0, high organic matter, needs 500–800 mm of water, and is widely grown in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria. The current average farm-gate price on GeraFarm is about $0.22 per kg.
Yield / hectare
2–12 tonnes
Time to harvest
90–120 days from planting
Avg. price
$0.22/kg
Top regions
Ghana, Kenya
About Maize / Corn
Maize is the staple food crop across sub-Saharan Africa and a major commodity in Caucasus and European markets. GeraFarm connects East and West African smallholders to regional buyers.
Maize / Corn growing facts
- Scientific name
- Zea mays
- Category
- Grain & Cereal
- Yield per hectare
- 2–12 tonnes
- Time to harvest
- 90–120 days from planting
- Growing season
- Main season: March–April (West Africa), May–June (East Africa), Apr–Jun (Caucasus)
- Avg. farm-gate price
- $0.22 / kg
- Soil requirements
- Well-drained loam to sandy loam, pH 5.8–7.0, high organic matter
- Water requirements
- 500–800 mm; critical during tasselling and grain-fill
How to grow maize / corn, step by step
- 1
Prepare soil to the crop’s needs
Test and prepare your soil to match maize / corn's requirement: Well-drained loam to sandy loam, pH 5.8–7.0, high organic matter. Correct pH and add organic matter before planting.
- 2
Plant in the right window
Plant during the recommended season: Main season: March–April (West Africa), May–June (East Africa), Apr–Jun (Caucasus). Use certified seed or healthy planting material to avoid carrying over disease.
- 3
Irrigate to target
Supply 500–800 mm; critical during tasselling and grain-fill. Even, well-timed moisture during the critical growth stages drives yield and quality.
- 4
Scout and protect against disease
Watch for Maize streak virus and Gray leaf spot. Rotate crops, keep good spacing for airflow, and act early — AI disease-scan apps can warn you days before damage is visible.
- 5
Harvest at the right time
Harvest after 90–120 days from planting. Handle gently and cool quickly to cut post-harvest losses, which can otherwise reach 20–40%.
- 6
Sell direct for a better price
List your maize / corn free on GeraFarm, set your own price, and sell direct to verified buyers — keeping the margin a broker would otherwise take.
Diseases & pests to watch for
- Maize streak virus
- Gray leaf spot
- Northern corn leaf blight
- Fall armyworm
- Aflatoxin (storage)
Smart-farming tips for maize / corn
- Fall armyworm AI image detection apps identify larvae 3–5 days before economic threshold
- Night-time satellite thermal imaging detects water-stress patches 48 hours before leaf roll
- Aflatoxin risk models use pre-harvest weather data to guide drying and storage decisions
- Smallholder plot digitisation via GPS app enables precision fertiliser recommendations
- Climate-smart varieties (drought-tolerant CIMMYT lines) yield 20–35% more in stress years
Get maize / corn price alerts & growing tips
Seasonal maize / corn price updates, planting reminders and disease alerts, plus when to sell for the best price — straight to your inbox. Free.
Growing maize / corn — frequently asked questions
- How much maize / corn can you grow per hectare?
- A well-managed maize / corn crop yields 2–12 tonnes per hectare. Actual yield depends on variety, soil fertility, irrigation, and disease pressure — Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia are among the leading growing regions. On GeraFarm, growers selling direct typically earn 40–60% more than through traditional middlemen.
- When is the maize / corn growing season and how long until harvest?
- Maize / Corn is typically planted in: Main season: March–April (West Africa), May–June (East Africa), Apr–Jun (Caucasus). It takes 90–120 days from planting to reach harvest. Timing your planting to local conditions is the single biggest factor in yield.
- What soil and water does maize / corn need?
- Maize / Corn prefers Well-drained loam to sandy loam, pH 5.8–7.0, high organic matter. Water requirement: 500–800 mm; critical during tasselling and grain-fill. Matching soil and irrigation to these needs is essential for a healthy maize / corn crop.
- What are the main diseases and pests that affect maize / corn?
- The most common threats to maize / corn are Maize streak virus, Gray leaf spot, Northern corn leaf blight. Crop rotation, certified seed or planting material, good spacing for airflow, and early scouting are the most reliable defences. AI disease-scan tools can flag many of these before they spread visibly.
- Is maize / corn farming profitable?
- Maize / Corn sells for around $0.22 per kg at farm gate, and a hectare can yield 2–12 tonnes. Profitability hinges on yield, input costs, post-harvest losses, and the price you can negotiate — selling direct to buyers on GeraFarm removes the broker margin that usually takes 40–60% of the gap between farm-gate and retail price.
- Where can I sell maize / corn after harvest?
- You can list maize / corn free on GeraFarm and reach verified buyers — restaurants, wholesalers, processors and exporters — in 50+ countries. There are no listing fees, only a small commission on completed sales, and you set your own price in your local currency.