An evaluation on the profitability of growing improved maize open pollinated varieties in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract

This study examined the profitability of growing Open Pollinated Varieties (OPVs) of maize against hybrids in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Studies have shown that improved OPVs of maize can be a valuable step for smallholder farmers in semi-arid areas as they are relatively drought tolerant when compared to hybrids. Thirteen maize varieties were evaluated extensively by on-farm trials in selected areas under dry land and irrigated conditions. Nine were newly introduced and improved Open Pollinated Varieties (OPVs), while four were locally grown varieties. Among the locally grown varieties, one was a hybrid-check, while the remaining three were improved OPVs. The objective of this study was to assess the profitability of growing improved maize OPVs compared with hybrids. The Gross Margin analysis was employed to compute the gross margins of improved maize OPVs and hybrids. Results show that the hybrid PAN 6479 variety in general performed better than improved maize OPVs across all environments whereas in some areas, the improved maize OPVs had better gross margins and gross profit margins than the hybrid variety. The indicated genotypes however did not show specific adaptation to selected environments. From the results of the study, it could be put into perspective that it would be profitable to grow improved maize OPVs in the Eastern Cape Province by smallholder farmers given that the Province is semi-arid and farmers are resource-poor. On the other hand, hybrids require high-level use of inputs that could be costly for smallholder farmers.

Analysis of the economic impact of Rural Enterprise Development Hub Project on maize farmers in Mqanduli, South Africa

“…P-value <0.05;0.000 = significant (Source: Field Survey, 2017) 11,910.0-13,198.5) 38.4(0.000) 264.32 Note: t-test statistics. P-value <0.05;0.000 = significant (Source: Field Survey, 2017) Table 3 and 4 above is in agreement with Tagne, et al, (2006), Mokhele, et al, (2016), Melusi, et al, (2016 that maize is a major source of income to farmers in several developing countries. Table 5 above indicate that, other than increase in income of maize farmers who benefitted from the RED Hub Project, 153 (72.5%) respondents affirmed that there is increase in maize produce as a result of the intervention of the project.…”

“…It is the view of Tagne, et al, (2008);Mokhel, et al, (2016);Melusi, et al, (2016) that maize is the foremost income earner to farmers to most developing countries with poor resources. Similarly, Wossen, et al, (2017) observed that agricultural projects targeted to reduce rural poverty and to increase food security could improve productivity and welfare outcomes of beneficiary smallholder farmers.…”

Classification and Socio-Economic Benefits of Agroforestry Systems in Soin Ward, Kericho County, Kenya

“…A rapid increase in the human population in the world has led to the widening of the market gap in the supply of various farm produce, especially in the forestry and agriculture sectors (UN, 2016). The gap has forced farmers to encroach on nearby forests in search of more space for settlement and expansion of agricultural fields (FAO, 2016;Melusi, 2012).…”

Linking Agricultural Index Insurance with Factors That Influence Maize Yield in Rain-Fed Smallholder Farming Systems

“…Mean annual rainfall ranges from 900 mm to 1300 mm, with summer minimum and maximum temperatures of 14-19 • C and 14-27 • C, respectively [30]. The soils are largely dominated by sandy loams, sandy clay loams, and clays that are yellow to black in color and slightly acidic [31,32]. In the past, the farmers used to begin planting maize in the first dekad of October, but planting now begins in mid-November, often extending up to late-January.…”