Julian, a 16-year-old boy, lives in Ghana. His favorite color is yellow, and he gradually falls in love with anything that has a yellow touch, which in turn leads to his passion for maize. Ghana is well known for its maize production, with 80% of the total maize production coming from a single region: Ashanti, Eastern, Bono, Central, and Bono East Regions. 

Juilan, who resides in the Ashtani region, tells his mother a story about how, when he was just 3 years old, he first saw a maize farm. While passing the farm with his mother, he was surprised by the natural beauty of the maize farm. At the age of 5, his father decided to establish a maize farm. As he grew up, seeing maize farms daily fostered an unseen affection for the crop. 

As a 16-year-old boy, his dream is to open a large maize farm. Currently, he is helping out on his father’s farm, and he aspires to become an exceptional farmer one day. At just 16 years old, he has numerous plans to fulfill. Julian said, –

“I want to expand my father’s maize farm. As you might know, Ghana is famous for its maize. Everyone loves Ghana’s maize. Government support programs, such as Planting for Food and Jobs, increased maize production with subsidized seeds and fertilizers. Maize output has risen by 40 percent from 2017 to 2019, and I want to be part of that growth.”

This blog will discuss the transformation of Ghana’s Maize industry through innovation from the viewpoint of young people like Julian.

Government initiatives like Planting for Food and Jobs drove a 40% increase in maize production from 2017 to 2019.

Essential nutrients abounding in maize include antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, fiber, vitamins B and C. It helps weight control as well as eye health, heart health, and digestive support.

Poor storage facilities cause up to 30% of the crop to be lost. Investing in portable storage containers and solar-powered drying equipment can help to solve post-harvest losses.

Ghana exports maize to the UK, the U.S., the UAE, and other African countries. By 2026, total maize output is expected to be 3.3 million metric tons.

Julian’s knowledge of maize extends beyond its cultivation. He understands the health benefits that maize provides. 

Essential nutrients such as vitamins B and C, magnesium, and potassium are abundant in maize. 

It contains a beneficial amount of insoluble fiber, which aids digestion and helps prevent constipation. 

The fiber in maize can help lower cholesterol levels, contributing to better heart health. 

Maize is rich in antioxidants like carotenoids, which promote eye health and may reduce the risk of certain diseases. 

Maize is a beneficial source of carbohydrates, providing a quick and sustained energy boost. The fiber content helps you feel full longer, which can aid in weight management.

Although Ghana has a significant maize production, and many farmers are focusing on this sector to increase production, some challenges still hinder its growth.

Climate change’s impacts can trigger erratic weather patterns, such as irregular rainfall and droughts, leading to massive drops in yield. 

The situation has been made worse by fall armyworms, which have devastated maize farms. The situation for maize farmers is made more difficult by the inefficiency of pesticides and rising pest management costs, which result in much lower than expected production levels.

Lack of adequate storage facilities exacerbates the problem, making it challenging for farmers to avoid losing up to 30% of their harvest due to a lack of storage options. 

Smallholder farmers lack access to high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and other necessary inputs, limiting productivity growth rates and reducing crop quality standards across the country. 

Due to financial constraints, including limited access to credit and insurance, they are restricted in their investment opportunities for improved agricultural practices and technologies.

Innovative Solutions to Revolutionize Ghana’s Maize Production – Julian, a young member of the modern generation, remains resolute in removing obstacles. Julian believes that effective innovation can address these issues, and he hopes for initiatives such as Planting for Food and Jobs or other private initiatives to make a difference. Additionally, if investors discover fresh prospects, they can address these problems. 

Investor-agritech collaboration could solve these problems by developing and supplying climate-resilient seeds and farming practices. The partnership could promote and finance the development of an IPM system that would combine biological controls, such as instigating the natural predators of fall armyworms, with judicious use of effective and eco-friendly pesticides. 

Finally, to address post-harvest losses, the partnership could invest in modern, community-based storage facilities or subsidize them, incorporating technologies like solar-powered drying systems. 

Additionally, they could create mobile storage units that utilize movable storage technology, like solar-powered silos on wheels, allowing for on-the-spot storage between farms during peak harvest seasons.

Corn can be stored for up to 10–12 years. Under ideal conditions, the grain maintains approximately 13% of its moisture content. Since it’s food, people typically don’t keep it for a decade, but due to its nutritional value, individuals can store it for extended periods. 

Extracting oil from kernels is another method of storing maize. Store corn oil in cool and dark places to maintain its quality, as it has a long shelf life. One standard method for storing maize is to process it into flour. You can store it in sealed containers with oxygen absorbers to keep it fresh for a maximum of nine to twelve months. 

Another option is to keep maize in the form of popcorn seeds. You can store popcorn in hermetically sealed packages to maintain its freshness for several months. And who does not love popcorn?

The population of Ghana is rapidly increasing, driving demand for staple crops like maize. Maize is one of Ghana’s primary food staples and forms the basis of many food products. 

Several destination countries import maize from Ghana: Malawi and Cameroon in the African region; Togo and Niger in the West African sub-region; and the United Kingdom, United States, United Arab Emirates, Germany, and Canada in other parts of the world. Ghana was 45th in the world in 2021, while Romania was first with 669,000 metric tons. 

With an annual growth rate of 2.6% since 1966, Ghana’s maize production is expected to reach 3.3 million metric tons by 2026.

With a growing middle class, there is also demand for quality and organic maize, with the possibility of receiving premium pricing. Located close to other markets in West Africa and along international trade routes, Ghana is well placed to export maize to neighboring countries and farther afield, provided investors help bring about improvements in the quality and sustainability of the crop. The predicted number also showcases a profitable market in the future. Additionally, the effort to solve the challenges in this farming industry will lead to improvements in the sector. Ultimately, investing in this sector with innovative solutions will yield benefits in the future.