Growing Maize for Pig Feed: From Seed to Harvest

Maize is the energy base of pig feed — typically 55-65% of any pig ration. It is also the single biggest expense, costing 350-400 FCFA/kg when bought as commercial feed. But if you grow your own maize, the cost drops to ~80-160 FCFA/kg (seed + fertilizer + labor). For a 20-sow operation consuming 12 tons of maize per year, growing your own saves 2.5-3.5 million FCFA annually — enough to pay for a feed mill [1][2][3].

Why African maize yields are low

Africa's average maize yield is 2 tons/hectare, compared to 8-10 tons in developed countries. In Cameroon, yields range from 0.9 to 3.2 t/ha. The main reasons: poor varieties (open-pollinated instead of hybrid), low planting density, no fertilizer, and poor weed control. With hybrid seed + proper management, yields of 4-6 t/ha are achievable in Africa [1][2].

Variety selection

• Hybrid maize (recommended): Yields 4-8 t/ha. Higher cost for seed (10,000-20,000 FCFA/hectare for seed), but the yield increase pays for it many times over. A 2024 study found hybrid maize significantly increased grain yield per hectare in Africa, with some genotypes reaching 9 t/ha [1].
• Open-pollinated varieties (OPV): Yields 2-3 t/ha. Seed is cheaper (you can save your own from year to year) but yields are 50-70% lower. Only suitable if you cannot afford hybrid seed.
• Recommended approach: Start with hybrid for the first 2-3 years while learning. Once you have mastered the basics, experiment with saving OPV seed to reduce costs further.

Planting

Timing: Plant at the start of the rainy season (March-April in most of Cameroon, varies by region). Maize needs 500-800mm of rainfall over 4 months.

Spacing: 75cm between rows × 25cm between plants = ~53,000 plants/hectare. Plant 2 seeds per hole, thin to 1 after 2 weeks.

Seed rate: 20-25 kg of seed per hectare for hybrid; 25-30 kg for OPV.

Depth: Plant seeds 3-5cm deep. Deeper in sandy soil, shallower in clay soil.

Fertilization

Maize is a heavy feeder. Without fertilizer, African yields stay at 1-2 t/ha. Apply:

• Basal fertilizer (NPK 15-15-15): 200-300 kg/ha at planting (or use composted pig manure at 5-10 tons/ha — free if you have pigs!).
• Top-dressing (urea): 100-150 kg/ha at 4-6 weeks (when plants are knee-high). Apply when soil is moist (after rain or irrigation).

If you have a pig farm, use composted pig manure instead of chemical fertilizer. 5-10 tons of composted manure per hectare replaces 200kg of NPK. See our article on pig manure composting for the recipe.

Weed control

Weeds compete with maize for nutrients, water, and light. Uncontrolled weeds reduce yields by 30-50%. Control methods:

• Manual weeding: Hand hoe at 2-3 weeks and again at 5-6 weeks. Labor-intensive but effective for small areas.
• Herbicide (pre-emergence): Atrazine or Primextra at 3-4 liters/ha, applied within 3 days of planting. Kills germinating weeds before they emerge.
• Herbicide (post-emergence): If weeds appear after planting, use a selective herbicide like 2,4-D Amine for broadleaf weeds.

Harvest

When to harvest: 90-120 days after planting (depending on variety). The cobs should be fully dry — kernels should be hard when pressed with a fingernail. The husks should be brown and dry. If you squeeze a kernel, no milky liquid should come out.

How to harvest: Break the cobs off the stalk by hand. Remove the husks. Dry the cobs in the sun for 3-5 days on a tarpaulin or concrete slab (not on bare earth — picks up moisture and dirt).

Shelling: Remove kernels from the cob by hand (for small quantities) or with a mechanical sheller (for large quantities). A simple hand-cranked sheller costs ~15,000-25,000 FCFA.

Drying and storage

Maize must be dried to 12% moisture or below before storage. Above 12%, mold (Aspergillus) grows and produces aflatoxins — deadly to pigs. Test: bite a kernel — if it cracks cleanly, it's dry enough. If it's soft or chewy, it needs more drying.

Storage options:

• PICS bags (triple-layer hermetic bags): The best option. Air-tight bags that kill insects and prevent mold. Cost: ~3,000-5,000 FCFA per bag (holds 50-100kg). Maize stored in PICS bags stays good for 12+ months.
• Metal bins: More expensive but reusable for decades. Cost: 50,000-100,000 FCFA for a 500kg bin.
• Traditional crib: Raised wooden structure with slatted sides for air flow. Cheap but less effective against insects and moisture.

The economics

For a 20-sow farm consuming 12 tons/year: savings of 800,000-3,600,000 FCFA per year by growing your own maize instead of buying it in commercial feed.

Sources & References

• [1] PMC: Performance evaluation of hybrid maize — hybrid significantly increased yield, with genotypes reaching 9 t/ha. Source: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• [2] IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture): Maize in Africa — average yield 2 t/ha, largest producer is Nigeria. Source: iita.org
• [3] Wiley Online Library: Analysis of Maize Farming Systems in Cameroon — yields 0.9 to 3.2 t/ha. Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com