Maize is one of the most widely grown crops in the world, a staple that provides half of the calories consumed in some countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The average grain yield in Africa has stagnated at around 1–2 tonnes per hectare (Figure 1), despite the crop’s genetic potential to yield up to 10 tonnes per hectare and the availability of improved cultivars and such inputs as mineral fertilizer. Southern Africa in particular experiences high year-on-year variability in yield. That the maize area harvested has declined or remained the same over the years, at least in the southern parts of the continent, indicates that little or no suitable farmland remains uncultivated. Boosting maize production therefore cannot come from area expansion but will require productivity gain
Publication year
2009
Authors
Sileshi G W; Ajayi, O.C.; Akinnifesi, F.K.; Place F
Language
English
Keywords
emissions, environmental management, land use
