Abstract:
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the main
crops grown in Eastern and Central
Africa (ECA) as staple food by over 70%
of the population. It has also become an important
non-traditional export crop as well as being used
for animal feed. However, the regional maize
production is dominated by smallholder farmers
whose production is generally characterized by
small farm acreage (0.2–2 ha), low yields (1.0
–1.8 MT/ha) and high production costs and
consequently low returns. Supplying maize grain
with quality characteristics conforming to target
markets is vital to increasing consumption and
export value