Reducing On-Farm Food Losses
In the OIC Member Countries
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3.1. Case Study 1: Maize in Uganda
Maize zea mays L. is an important cereal crop, with 900 million tonnes produced worldwide.
Among the OIC Member Countries, Uganda, Indonesia, Nigeria, Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey are all
major producers.
Uganda provides over 40% of the calories from maize consumed in both rural and urban areas.
The crop has increasingly become a staple food in many parts of the country due to changes in
peoples eating habits. Small-scale farmers, who constitute the bulk (80%) of the rural poor, also
account for the largest share of maize production. It is grown in every part of the country and a
direct source of livelihood to over two million households, over 1000 traders/merchants and
600 millers. Increasingly, maize has become a major non-traditional export cash crop
particularly benefitting smallholder farmers. Two crops per year can be produced due to the
bimodal rainfall pattern in Uganda (World Bank 2011).
3.1.1. Status and Importance
Although there are many ethnic groups in Uganda representing various cultures, maize is the
only crop that is grown across the country. It is consumed by all in various forms, such as
roasting while fresh or processing into maize flour to make posho and porridge. Posho and
porridge are consumed in all institutions, primary and secondary schools, universities, prisons
and military barracks. Posho is a major meal in all lower income earners and middle class. It is
also exported to the neighboring countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the
Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Burundi and Southern Sudan.
The volume of maize production in Uganda was 2.8m tonnes per annum in 2012 and in 2013
(FAOSTAT). Maize is the 5th most important crop in Uganda in terms of production, after
plantains, cassava, sweet potatoes and sugar cane.
3.1.2. Assessment of On-Farm Losses and Economic Burden
The seasons for maize production in southwest Uganda are July to September and January to
March. On-farm assessments at six maize farms in southwestern Uganda provided the following
data on losses related to on-farm practices.