How Many Bags of Maize Can an Acre Produce?

A lot of investors in maize farming or maize farmer often ask the question, how many bags of maize can a 1 acre farmland produce?

The number of bags of maize a one acre farmland can produce depends on a lot of factors. A one acre of farmland of maize in one location can produce 20 bags of dry maize (100kg bags) while in another location, it may be as low as 5 bags.

In Nigeria, the number of bags of maize produced by an acre of farmland is generally low because of a lot of factors. However, I have seen a number of farmers getting above 20 bags of maize from an acre of farmland.

Factors determining the number of bags of maize a 1 acre farmland can produce

The following are the factors that determine the number of bags of maize a one acre farmland can produce:

Soil Fertility

The level of fertility of your soil can impact the number of bags of maize you will harvest. A soil that is rich in nutrients and very healthy can produce more than 20 bags of maize per acre.

A poor soil can produce as low as 1 bag of maize per acre. You should do a soil test before you start your maize farming venture. If your soil test result shows that your soil is poor, you need to correct the deficiencies before planting.

Seeds

The type of maize seeds planted can also impact the yield from your maize farm. Open pollinated maize seeds do not have high yields like hybrid maize seeds.

Hybrid maize seeds often have higher yields than open pollinated maize seeds. However, hybrid maize seeds require more inputs like fertilizers, water and chemicals. If you use hybrid maize seeds and you do not have enough inputs, you may record a very low yield.

Availability of Water

Water is important in maize farming. Without water, you may not harvest anything from your maize farm. If you are planting in the dry season, you are advised to use irrigation. Sprinkler system or drip irrigation system will do.

Farmers who plant in the rainy season will harvest more bags of maize than farmers who plant in the dry season without the use of irrigation.

Pests and Diseases

If your maize farm is heavily infested with pests and diseases, you may not harvest any bag of maize from your farm.

Pests and diseases can reduce your maize yield to zero. Army worms for example can lead to zero yield in your maize farm if it is not controlled.

Pesticides should be used to prevent and control pests and diseases.

Weeds

Maize farms do not perform very well when infested with a lot of weeds. Weeds share nutrients and water with the main crop. They also harbor pests.

If not controlled, weeds can significantly reduce the yield of maize plants and indeed any crop at all.

Poor Agronomic Practices

Poor agronomic practices can lead to a low yield in your maize farm. Cultural practices in farming should be judiciously implemented.

Expertise and Capital

Farmers who have little or no expertise in farming often record very low yield. Maize farming involves some expertise. You need to have the skills it takes to be a successful maize farmer, without this, you may not harvest enough bags of maize from your farm.

Capital is also very important. Without adequate capital, you may not have enough money to buy fertilizers, good seeds, chemicals and other inputs needed for your farm. This can negatively impact the number of bags of maize you will harvest from your farm.

How many bags of maize do you harvest from your farmland? Kindly share the answer in the comments’ section.