maize yields are the highest in
Africa (reflecting cooler growing
conditions), averaging 1.6 t/ha. The
growth in yields from 1961-65 to
1984-88 was largely the result of
adoption of hybrids and increased
use of fertilizer. Expanding area
and rising yields have helped raise
total maize production in eastern
Africa at a rate of 2.7% per year
since 1961-65. Despite considerable
year-to-year variability in produc-
tion, the region is nearly self-
sufficient in maize.

From 1961-65, area planted to
maize in western and central
Africa grew slowly, reaching
almost 5 million hectares in
1983-87. Average yields now barely
exceed 1 t/ha, after increasing at an
average annual rate of 1% since
1961-65. Total production has
grown to just under 5 million tons,
a level of production that nearly
satisfies regional demand.

Area planted to maize in the Sahel
has expanded over the years to
reach its current level of approxi-
mately 0.5 million hectares. Much
of the growth in area occurred
when early maturing, input respon-
sive maize varieties moved into
zones traditionally occupied by
sorghum and millet. Maize produc-
tion remains modest, currently to-
talling just above 0.5 million tons.
Despite growth in production of
3.2% per year from 1961-65 to
1984-88, self-sufficiency in maize
actually declined because of rapid
population growth combined with
an increase in consumption per
capital. During the same period,
maize imports rose from a very low
base at an average of 8% each year,
equivalent to an average annual
rate of 5.4% per capital.


Although some of these statistics
present a less than optimistic view
of African maize production, they
do not tell the whole story. They
only hint at the diversity and com-
plexity of the maize economy in
sub-Saharan Africa, which is
shaped by countless biotic and
abiotic factors, ranging from


cultural preferences and historical
influences to agronomic conditions
and institutional constraints. The
next part of this report gives a
more detailed account of the varied
and often complex conditions under
which maize is produced, used,
marketed, and traded.


Table 4. Sources of growth in maize production in Africa, by region,
1961-65 to 1984-88


Regfie*.. A... .-.

Southern Africa 1.4


1.4


2.8


Eastern Africa


Western and central Africa


Sahel

Total


Source: Calculated from FAO data.


Production (million t)


O0
1961


1966 1971 1976 1981 1986


Source: Calculated from FAO data.


Figure 5. Evolution of African maize production by region, 1961-88.