Maize

Zea mays

Also known as Corn (English), Maïs (Dutch), Mais (Dutch), Maíz (Spanish), Blé d'Inde (French), Granturco (Italian), Bokolo (Other)

Kenya's staple cereal, grown across nearly every agro-ecological zone; the primary source of calories for most households.

Species

Zea mays

Family

Poaceae

Climate requirements

Altitude 0-2100m, temperature 18-27C, rainfall 500-1200mm/year

Temperature range

18-33°C (absolute 10-47°C)

Rainfall range

600-1200mm (absolute 400-1800mm)

Altitude range

4000m

Soil types

Deep, well-drained loams, pH 5.5-7.0

Soil pH

5-7 (absolute 4.5-8.5)

Value chain

Products from this Crop

Fresh Maize

Fresh maize, sourced from farms across Kenya and sold by the kilogram. See the Knowledge Platform entry for growing details.