옥수수 from 나이지리아

History

Maize was introduced to Nigeria in the 16th century through Portuguese traders and quickly became a popular food crop due to its adaptability. In the post-independence era, maize gained prominence as the government promoted food self-sufficiency. The sector expanded significantly in the 2000s with investments in hybrid seeds, fertilizer programs, and demand from feed millers. Today, maize is a strategic crop under government initiatives like the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) programs.

Production Regions

• Kaduna: Largest maize-producing state; major hub for feed grain.
• Niger: High-yield region with large expanses of arable land.
• Katsina and Kano: Major northern producers, especially for rainfed maize.
• Plateau and Nasarawa: Middle Belt states with good rainfall and growing hybrid adoption.
• Oyo and Ogun: Southern producers, mostly for food-grade maize.

Growing Conditions

• Altitude: 100–1,200 m across various agro-ecological zones
• Climate: Tropical wet and dry; ideal temperatures of 20–32°C
• Rainfall: 800–1,500 mm annually, mostly seasonal
• Soil: Well-drained sandy loam to clay loam soils
• Irrigation: Limited; over 90% of maize is rainfed

Agroforestry & Cultivation Practices

• Agroforestry: Maize often intercropped with trees and legumes in traditional systems
• Crop Rotation: Practiced with cassava, yam, or soybean
• Soil Management: Manual tilling still common; interest in no-till rising in commercial zones
• Input Use: Low-to-moderate fertilizer application; increasing use of improved seeds

Harvesting Process

• Harvest Method: Mostly manual harvesting with machetes or sickles
• Drying: Sun drying on tarpaulins, roadsides, or elevated racks
• Storage: On-farm cribs, polypropylene bags, or hermetic bags in warehouses
• Post-Harvest Losses: Can reach 20–30% due to poor drying and pest infestations

Cultivation Methods

• Seed Types: Mix of open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) and hybrids promoted by NASC
• Farm Structure: Predominantly smallholders (<2 ha); larger farms emerging in Middle Belt
• Key Pests: Fall armyworm, stem borers, grasshoppers
• Disease Management: Pesticide use limited by cost; IPM methods being promoted

Supply Chain

• Farmers: Smallholder-dominated; often part of cooperatives or anchor programs
• Middlemen: Village traders and aggregators link rural production to urban markets
• Processors: Feed mills, flour mills, breweries, and snack manufacturers
• Exporters: Minimal maize exports; domestic demand absorbs most production

Local Logistics

• Transport: Mostly by truck; poor rural road access limits efficiency
• Processing Zones: Feed and flour mills in Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, and Ibadan
• Storage Infrastructure: Growing use of warehouses and hermetic silos by processors

Traceability

• Commercial Feed Chain: Basic traceability via aggregators or contracts
• Smallholder Supply: Mostly informal; traceability limited
• Emerging Trends: Use of digital procurement platforms by large feed companies

Regulations and Certifications

• Regulatory Bodies: National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
• Certifications: Government-approved seeds and inputs; few farms certified for food safety standards
• GM Oversight: GM maize not yet commercialized; regulatory debate ongoing

Quality Standards

• Moisture Content: Target ≤13% for safe storage
• Grading: No formal national grading; buyers sort by kernel size, cleanliness
• Color and Grain Type: White and yellow maize both produced; yellow preferred for feed
• Aflatoxin Monitoring: Limited enforcement; major concern for food safety

Trade Terms

• HS Code: 100590 – “Other maize”
• Exports (2023): Minimal; domestic demand dominates
• Imports: Restricted under national food security policies
• Top Buyers: Local poultry, aquafeed, and food companies
• Domestic Demand: Rising due to population growth, feed expansion, and food industry
• Price Volatility: Strongly influenced by rainfall, fertilizer access, and government policies

Environmental Impact

• Water Use: Mostly rainfed; vulnerable to delayed or erratic rains
• Soil Health: Nutrient depletion and erosion common in continuous cultivation zones
• Climate Risk: High exposure to drought and irregular rainfall
• Sustainability Practices: Slow adoption of conservation farming; NGOs promoting compost and improved spacing

Social Impact

• Livelihoods: Major income source for over 4 million rural households
• Labor: Family labor dominant; youth increasingly involved in aggregation and logistics
• Women & Youth: Women handle much of post-harvest labor; youth engaged in off-farm maize trade
• Food Security Role: Staple in rural and urban diets; used for pap, tuwo, maize flour

Uses:

• Animal Feed: Key input for poultry, fish, and pig feed
• Food Processing: Corn flour, grits, pap, and traditional meals
• Brewery Use: Malted maize for beer and beverage production
• Industrial Use: Modified starch for textile, pharma, and food sectors 
• Byproducts: Bran used in feed; maize oil produced at industrial scale