Maize Market Research Articles

Empirical Assessment of Maize Price Dynamics and Market Integration in Selected Regional Markets of Benue State, Nigeria.

This study investigated how maize prices move in selected regional markets in Benue State, Nigeria. The researchers looked at monthly maize price data from January 2008 to December 2018 to determine if the price series in these different markets were connected. Specific tests were used to determine if the prices influenced each other over time (market integration) and, if so, which market (rural or urban) tended to lead the price changes in the state. The result revealed that maize prices eventually stabilized over time (became stationary) and that rural and urban markets were indeed connected. There was also evidence of some level of market integration in the short term. Interestingly, the price changes in one market didn't always directly cause changes in the other market. In some cases, price changes seemed to flow in both directions. Based on these results, this study therefore recommends that the all stakeholders provide information centers and use media channels to improve communication between maize producers and consumers in the state; as this would allow actors to make more informed decisions about maize marketing.

An Economic Analysis of Marketing Efficiency of Maize in Tamil Nadu, India

Maize plays a significant role in the agricultural economy. Since, growers of maize have numerous marketing-related issues. The present study is made with an objective to identify the major maize marketing channels and analyze its cost incurred, price spread and efficiency. A well-structured interview schedule was used to collect primary data. Price spread analysis and marketing efficiency of maize marketing channels is estimated using Acharya and Shepard approach. The lowest marketing spread were observed in Channel III which was about 13.56 percent (Rs. 200 per quintal) of the consumer price, due to less intervention of intermediaries. Therefore, Channel III is the most efficient one among the identified marketing channels. Besides, Channel III has the highest marketing efficiency and the farmers should choose their marketing channel with the less number of intermediaries where it helps them attain better income.

Fresh or dry maize or both: Which is most economical and preferred by farmers?

As a staple crop of great importance in sub-Saharan Africa, maize is essential for the production of food for humans and animals, particularly in the raising of poultry and livestock. Smallholder farmers in Ghana are the main producers of maize, and they frequently have difficulties in turning their crop into a sustainable source of income. As a result, there is an increasing need for these farmers to look into other options such as switching from traditional dry maize production to growing fresh maize. This circumstance calls for a critical analysis to ascertain whether producing for fresh or dry maize markets yields higher profitability. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to estimate the profitability of Ghana's fresh and dry maize markets, examine the factors influencing farmers' market choices as well as rank the production constraints. Data was collected from 390 maize farmers using questionnaires. Gross margin analysis, multinomial logit regression and Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance, were the methods of analysis. According to the study, fresh maize yields a profit of 78.00 pesewas for every GH¢ 1.00 invested, both alternatives generate 71.00 pesewas, and dry maize yields 67.00 pesewas. This implies that even though all three businesses are profitable, fresh maize cultivation stands out as the most lucrative. The results of the multinomial logit regression analysis showed that the choice of maize production systems is influenced by socioeconomic characteristics, farming experience, and loan availability. The Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance analysis confirms consensus on constraints, with lack of finance, pest issues, poor roads, and low maize prices as key challenges. According to the report, farmers may increase their profits by diversifying their crops to include the fresh maize market. Additionally, the government could assist these farmers by making financing more accessible to them through collaborations with financial institutions and specially designed agricultural loan programs.

Improved Maize Varieties: Enhancing Food Security in Rural Communities of Central River Region North

Maize production is widely grown by smallholder farmers in rural communities of the Gambia. Maize is an important component of food systems as it provides nutritional security, and income and reduces poverty at the household level. Primary and secondary data were collected to have a broader knowledge of maize varieties. The sample and sampling method was non-probability using the random sampling method. A sample size of twenty (20) farmers was randomly selected from a population of 117 from 5 agricultural districts of the Central River Region/ North. The objective of the study is to bridge the yield gap of 1.0 to 1.3 tons/ ha to > 5 tons/ ha of maize. The result in Table 1 shows that, out of the 4 varieties Kabamano obtained the highest yield data of 6,560 kg/ha followed by Obatamba at 5,440kg/ha while the lowest yield was obtained by early Thai at 3,200kg/ha. The production area was 113 ha with a total production of 340,800kg with an average yield of 3 tons/ha. The implication of the study is to ensure a comprehensive agricultural policy and strategies for better production and marketing of maize. The study recommends that the government, agricultural projects, the private sector, and CSOs create incentives, innovations, and agricultural financing for the coherent sustainability of maize production and marketing.

Smallholders’ vulnerability in the maize market: An analysis of marketing channels to improve the role of cooperatives in Benin

Smallholder households in developing countries often face challenges related to market access. Despite being proposed as a potential solution, cooperatives in the north of Benin have reportedly failed to effectively address this issue. The alternatives channels used by smallholder famers and the factors that influence their choices remain unclear. This paper adopts a mixed approach, combining qualitative analysis with quantitative methods, particularly the multivariate probit model, to investigate the distribution channels of maize used by farmers in the Kandi district of Benin. The study aims to identify the current distribution channels of maize in Kandi and analyze factors that affect, smallholder producers choice of marketing channel. Initially, the study identified four primary channels for marketing maize—namely, collectors, wholesalers, brokers, and cooperatives—and producers typically commonly engage in multiple channels simultaneously. Subsequently, It becomes evident that factors such as age, cooperative membership, distance to market, reliance on informal credit, average maize bag prices, and the timing of sales significantly influence producers' selection of marketing channels. Interestingly, despite cooperatives offering comparatively higher prices, the majority of farmers opt for collectors due to the informal credit they provide and their practice of purchasing large volumes of maize bags at pre-agreed prices. In conclusion, enhancing joint-selling capabilities of cooperatives and establishing a credit provision business tailored to maize producers are identified as crucial steps. These measures aim to alleviate producers’ financial strain, diminish their dependence on collectors for credit, and bolster their bargaining power in the market.

Examination of constraints and recommendations in maize production and marketing in the northern coastal region of Andhra Pradesh through Garrett’s ranking method

Examination of constraints and recommendations in maize production and marketing in the northern coastal region of Andhra Pradesh through Garrett’s ranking method

An Economic Analysis on Production and Marketing of Maize in Perambalur District of Tamil Nadu, India

Tamil Nadu has a pride of place in the national maize scenario due to steadily increasing area under maize than other millets. The present study was taken up to estimate the marketing cost and price spread for Maize in Preambular District, to identify the major marketing channels for Maize in the study area and to identify the production and marketing constraints/factors of Maize. Multi stage random sampling procedure was followed to select the blocks, villages and farmers. Finally, 100 farmers were selected for the study. The study identified that per hectare total cost of cultivation of maize worked out to be Rs.45766 per ha. The yield realized was 51 qtl per hectare. Gross returns realized from one hectare of maize grown by the sample farmers was Rs. 55080 per ha. Net returns realized from one hectare of maize grown by the sample farmers was Rs. 9314 per ha. Producer-farmers received a net price of Rs. 946.4/q in channel I (Producer - Commission Agent - Wholesaler- Processor / Consumer) which accounted for 75.23 per cent of consumer’s price. And the same was Rs. 1015/q in channel II (Producer-Local Trader - Wholesaler – Processor / Consumer) which accounted for 75.69 per cent of consumer’s price.

Warehouse receipt system: A shift to improve maize marketing in Ghana

The study assessed the influence of warehouse receipt system (WRS) on market access using 400 smallholder maize farmers from six communities in the Northern Region of Ghana. Primary data were collected through the use of an open-ended questionnaire. The endogenous switching regression model and propensity score matching was employed for data analysis. The results showed that participation in the WRS was mostly influenced by loan accessibility, size of crop output, established buyers, and membership in farmer organizations. The implications of the results are discussed. The paper concludes that the sustainability of farmer participation in WRS lies in strengthening farmer organizations and access to high-end markets through forming trust relationships with buyers.

ASSESSMENT ON ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF MAIZE IN SHANTINAGAR, DANG, NEPAL

The research was conducted to assess the production economics, different marketing channel and efficiency of resource use of maize farming in Shantinagar, Dang district of Nepal. The study was conducted with 60 farmers and 20 traders. Data was gathered using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire survey applied to the randomly selected samples. SPSS and Microsoft excel were used for entering the data and analysis of data. Resource use efficiency of maize production was determined by using Cobb-Douglas production function. Majority of respondents were engaged in agriculture (55%). Average maize cultivated land was 2.04 hectares. Maize production was profitable in the research area as indicated by benefit cost ratio of maize growing farmer was 1.52. Discovered different marketing channel were four. Price spread and producers share were in the range from 0-6.8 and 100-80.94% respectively. 10 % increase in cost of fertilizers, seed, FYM created in increase of outcome by 3.94, 5.24% and 0.04% respectively. The sum of coefficients was 0.933. For optimal allocation of resource, expenses on fertilizers, seed, pesticides and FYM were need to be increased by 84.89% 92.90%, 92.03%, 85.07% labour, tractor, bullock and thresher were found to be over utilized resource. The sum of coefficients was 0.933 which suggested return to scale is decreasing, factor of production included in the model if increased by 100% then it would result in 93.30% increase in maize production. Further, lack of timely availability of fertilizers, incidence of disease and pest/insects, lack of influence in price determination, improper coordination between market players, producers, and government agencies were the major difficulties in the production and marketing of maize in Shantinagar, Dang. This study has highlighted the maize production’s economic feasibility, marketing channels’s efficiency, Resource use efficiency and major difficulties in maize production and marketing in Shantinagar, Maize block, Dang.

ANALYSIS OF SPATIAL PRICE VARIATION IN MAIZE AND SORGHUM MARKETING IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

The study analyzed spatial price variation in maize and sorghum marketing in Kaduna State. The data set for this analysis was monthly average secondary prices from 1999-2015. Data was analyzed using Augmented Dicker Fuller (ADF) test and Cointegration test and was performed using Stata 14.2 version of software. The results of the analysis showed that prices were found to be stationary at level and first difference and there is co-integration between the reference market and other markets. The equilibrium relationship between the price of maize and sorghum in Saminaka market and other markets was found to be positive. The speed of adjustment to the long run for sorghum between Saminaka-Giwa, Saminaka-Makarfi, and Saminaka-Godogodo was -1.08, -0.98 and -1.03 respectively, while that of maize was -1.98, -1.56, and -1.02. Implying that variation in prices are fully transmitted within a period of one month. It is recommended that government should ensure improvement of the operational environment of the marketers thereby drastically reducing transfer cost involved in the movement of grains across spatially separated markets.

An Economic Analysis of Marketing of Maize and Constraints Faced by the Maize Growers in Production and Marketing in Ariyalur District of Tamil Nadu in India

The present study was conducted in Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu. Totally 100 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed from the district. The data was gathered in the form of pre-structured interview schedule. The study shows that different marketing channels with their marketing efficiency and major constraints faced by the maize growers in production and marketing of maize in the district. Totally three channels are shown in the study channel I with marketing efficiency 10.15, channel II with marketing efficiency 6.72 and channel III with marketing efficiency 3.84. For production the major constraints were eccentric rainfall, high input cost required for cultivation, high wage rate for labours, drastic pest occurrence and birds that eats the crop in budding stage, especially peacocks. From the above constraints, disturbance of birds was a major constraint. While discussing about marketing constraints, price fluctuation, distant market location, commission for middlemen, lack of timely credits and high transport cost. From the above marketing constraints, price fluctuations were a major constraint identified in Ariyalur district.

Price Integration in Wholesale Maize Markets in Pakistan

Continuing debate concerning the appropriate role of the government in the marketplace and the necessity to some how estimate the effects of agricultural policies on agricultural markets have forced researchers to develop various methods, which would enable them to analyse market efficiency. Government intervention in setting prices, incomes and markets is always controversial. For economists, government intervention may be justified if it does not enhance distortions into the market and, moreover, remedies the existing market imperfections. But how can one observe whether the policy proves to improve market functioning or results in even more inefficiency? One way to throw some light on this long-standing issue is to analyse market performance by studying market integration. Three types of market integration are identified in the literature, which are intertemporal, vertical and spatial. Inter-temporal market integration relates to the arbitrage process across periods. Vertical market integration is concerned with stages in marketing and processing channels. Spatial integration is concerned with the integration of spatially distinct markets i.e. if price changes in one market are fully reflected in alternative market then these markets are said to be spatially integrated. The concept of market integration has normally been applied in studies involving spatial market interrelatedness.

Production Status, Market Integration and the Law of One Price: An Exploration of the Major Maize Markets of India

The study looked at the area, production, and yield performance of the maize crop in India, as well as the market integration status of the country's key maize-producing states. The study included the years 1960 through 2019. Johansen co-integration, the Granger Causality Test, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR), and ARIMA, an Auto-regressive Integrated Moving Average, were used in the analysis. The findings showed that India experienced the highest growth in maize crop output and consistent increases in area, production, and yield. The ACF and PACF of the different series showed that the most appropriate models for forecasting based on the diagnostics, such as ACF, PACF, AIC, SBC, etc., were found to be ARIMA (0,1,0) for the area, ARIMA (2,1,3) for production, and ARIMA (2,1,1) for yield. In the next five years, from 2020 to 2025, the chosen ARIMA model anticipated a rise in maize area, production, and yield of 10.58 million ha, 35.65 MT, and 3390.50 kg/ha. The market integration status depicted a unidirectional causality from the Punjab market to the other two selected markets (Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh).At the same time, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh showed no causality between them. Therefore, there is a need for policy involvement to develop market intelligence in every market as well as to enhance online marketing systems through networking and computerization.

Combining xenia, male sterility, and synchronous pollination to improve maize grain yield and market value

Xenia (pollination of florets with genetically unrelated pollen), male sterility (removal of fertile pollen), and synchronous pollination (application of pollen when all silks are present) are well-documented processes that influence kernel formation and development in maize. There also have been numerous reports in which xenia and male sterility were combined in an attempt to increase kernel number, kernel weight, and/or grain yield. We present an analysis of published literature exploring impacts of xenia resulting from cross-pollination, male sterility, and synchronous pollination applied individually or in combination. Although synchronous pollination has had the most consistent and positive impact on seed formation, to our knowledge there are no reports combining all three effectors together. Recently developed technology to collect, preserve, and apply large volumes of maize pollen has provided the opportunity to evaluate the cumulative and potentially synergistic effects of synchronous pollination, xenia, and male sterility applied together on maize hybrids. We present the results of a field trial combining all three effectors in maize; this approach increased kernels per ear, kernel oil concentration, and grain yield per hectare. The results suggest synchronous pollination is essential to enable the greatest number of kernels to develop successfully. Male sterility supports kernel formation by providing greater assimilate supply per kernel, and xenia increases sink strength to attract the additional assimilates. The positive response and economic return when these effectors are applied in combination provides a novel opportunity for grain producers to manage kernel formation and composition proactively using pollen to deliver the trait of choice.

Storage losses, market development and household maize-selling decisions in China

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the impacts of storage losses and market development on the maize-selling behaviours of rural households in China.Design/methodology/approachBased on the survey data of 543 households from nine major maize production provinces in China, the authors introduce storage losses to a household's maize-selling decision-making model and use fractional logit model and ordered probit model to empirically analyse the impact of maize storage losses and market development on household maize-selling decisions in China. To overcome potential endogeneity problems, the authors select the weather at drying (whether bad weather occurs during the drying process) and harvest loss as instrumental variables and re-estimate the model.FindingsThe results show that increased storage losses prompt farmers to increase the proportion of maize sold within three months after harvest and sell maize in advance. Meanwhile, the degree of market development has a significant impact on farmers' maize-selling decisions. Other factors, such as the maize output, non-agricultural employment and awareness of loss control, also affect farmers' maize-selling behaviours.Research limitations/implicationsThe government should promote advanced storage facilities, reduce household storage losses, decrease the phenomenon of centralised sales after harvest and help farmers freely choose the suitable time for sales. The government also needs to strengthen market information releases and publicity, reduce transaction costs and help farmers make reasonable sales decisions.Originality/valueThe authors introduce storage losses as a separate variable in a farmer's grain-selling decision model to empirically analyse the impact of storage losses on farmers' grain-selling behaviours. Moreover, the authors analyse the impact of market development on household grain-selling behaviours in China. These findings can help avoid oversupply in the market during the harvest season and alleviate the pressure on the market from the supply and demand imbalance. These results are also beneficial for farmers waiting for a higher price and increasing their income.

Maize Market Chain Analysis and the Determinants of Market Participation in the Gamo and Gofa Zones of Southern Ethiopia

The majority of farmers are producing maize in the Gamo and Gofa zones and they are not benefiting from it due to the marketing problem. Thus, this study was intended to analyze the maize market chain and determinants of market participation in the selected maize-producing districts of the Gamo and Gofa zones. To achieve this objective, multistage sampling techniques were followed to randomly select 151 sample respondents. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, marketing margins, and the double hurdle model. The survey results revealed that approximately 35.88% of the maize from the total maize produced by the sampled farmers was marketed in the study area. The result indicates that among the five identified maize marketing channels, the largest volume of maize passed through channel V (producers, urban collectors, and consumers). In the marketing of maize, traders set the price due to poor market linkage and the low bargaining power of producers. The model regression result indicates that among the hypothesized factors, family size, allocated land size for maize, and market information have a significant effect on the quantity of maize market supply. Based on this finding, strengthening extension services through training and accessing inputs are recommended. Furthermore, market linkage through the cooperative establishment and the availability of market information by respective bodies is suggested.

Developing a Moving Average Crossover Strategy as an Alternative Hedging Strategy for the South Africa Maize Market

Grain marketing is complex because important decisions are made on the timing of sales and the quantities sold at every trading activity. The literature suggest various grain-hedging strategies, however these strategies are not adaptable to changing market conditions or are difficult for a producer to implement. To address these limitations, our study developed tailor-made moving average crossover (MAC) strategies that are adaptable to changing market conditions and can be easily followed by risk neutral and risk averse grain producers. The study used daily closing prices for the white maize May futures contract for the period 2009/2010 to 2019/2020. An optimization model was solved using the evolutionary algorithm embedded in Excel® to identify the optimal MAC strategy that maximizes the margin above marketing cost for a risk aversion level. The results showed that optimal MAC strategies differ amongst producers with different levels of risk aversion. Furthermore, it was found that the risk-averse producers perform best by marketing their grain early in the marketing season. Meanwhile, the risk-neutral producers perform better by spreading their marketing activities throughout the season. The results further showed that the optimal MAC strategies performed better than the previously proposed routine strategies. The conclusion is therefore that an optimal MAC strategy outperforms routine strategies because of its ability to adapt to changing market conditions, while still being easy to implement.

The Household Context of In Situ Conservation in a Center of Crop Diversity: Self-Reported Practices and Perceptions of Maize and Phaseolus Bean Farmers in Oaxaca, Mexico

Crop diversity conservation in situ is an ecosystem service with benefits at household, community, and global scales. These include risk reduction and adaptation to changing physical and sociocultural environments—both important given the accelerating changes in climate, human migration, and the industrialization of agriculture. In situ conservation typically occurs as part of small-scale, traditionally based agriculture and can support cultural identity and values. Although decisions regarding crop diversity occur at the household level, few data detail the household context of in situ crop diversity management. Our research addressed this data gap for maize and Phaseolus bean in Oaxaca, Mexico, a major center of diversity for those crops. We defined diversity as farmer-named varieties and interviewed 400 farming households across eight communities in two contrasting socioecological regions. Our research asked, “In a major center of maize and Phaseolus diversity, what are the demographic, production, and consumption characteristics of the households that are stewarding this diversity?” We describe the context of conservation and its variation within and between communities and regions and significant associations between diversity and various independent variables, including direct maize consumption, region, and marketing of crops. These results provide a benchmark for communities to understand and strengthen their maize and bean systems in ways they value and for scientists to support those communities in dynamically stewarding locally and globally significant diversity.

An Economic Analysis of the Cost Structure and Constraints of Maize Cultivation in Hyderabad-Karnataka Region

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most versatile emerging crops, with a wide range of adaptation under a multitude of agro-climatic conditions. It is primarily a kharif crop (the kharif cropping season is also called as fall harvest season and is from July to October during the south-west monsoon in Indian subcontinent), with 85 per cent of the area under cultivation during kharif season. After rice and wheat, maize is India's third most important cereal crop. The current study attempts to analyze the cost and return structure of the maize crop in Koppal district of Karnataka state, as well as the marketing costs incurred by 120 maize respondent farmers and the constraints coupled with maize production and marketing. The study concluded that large farmers have incurred higher costs in all the inputs such as seed, farm yard manure (henceforth FYM), fertilizer, plant protection chemicals (henceforth PPCs), human labour and machine labour. For cultural operations, both medium and large agriculture depends on machine labour rather than bullock power. Transportation and packing costs were higher in all farmer categories. The transportation cost varied according to the quantity of produce and the distance between the regulated market and the study area. The maize respondents said that erratic rainfall behaviour was a major production constraint (90.0%), whereas lack of news dissemination was a major marketing constraint, ranking first with 85 per cent.

Determinants of market participation among smallholder farmers in Southwest Ethiopia: double-hurdle model approach

BackgroundAgricultural production by smallholder farm households is a means of livelihood for many rural households in developing economies, including Africa. Commercializing smallholder farmers in the agricultural sector is an indispensable path to boost economic growth and development of most developing countries, like Ethiopia. But, maize marketing has not been given due attention, which has potential production volume and marketability. Therefore, this study is designed to identify determinants of market participation decision and volume of supply among smallholder maize producer farmers in Southwest Ethiopia.MethodsData for this study were collected through cross‑sectional survey from maize producer farm households. The primary data were generated by household survey using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. A both purposive and random sampling technique was used to draw an appropriate sample of 546 maize producer households for this cross-sectional survey study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and double-hurdle econometric model.ResultsThe result of the survey indicates that out of total 546 maize producers, 381 households are maize market participants and 165 households are non-participants. First hurdle model results show that nine variables—education level, farming experience, quantity of maize produced, cooperative membership, distance to nearest market, amount of credit received, off/non-farming income, number of oxen and perception about lagged price—significantly affect the market participation decision among maize producer farmers. The second hurdle result confirmed that seven variables—sex, family size, land allocated for maize, number of oxen, distance to nearest market, livestock holding and perception about lagged price—significantly affect the level of market participation by maize producer farmers.ConclusionThe findings of this study revealed that understanding the factors and its extent is very important for policy-making to address the problem of market participation decision and level of participation among smallholder farm households. Therefore, the study suggests that important resource and socio-economic factors must take into consideration to enhance the productivity and strength supportive institutions or infrastructural facilities in the study area to improve market participation decision and level of participation of smallholders.