Maize planting checklist for West Africa
In rain-fed maize systems the difference between a 2 t/ha and a 5 t/ha crop is usually decided in the two weeks around planting, not by the variety alone. This checklist follows the order in which the decisions actually have to be made.
1. Finish land preparation before the rains break
Dry-season preparation lets you plant within days of the first effective rain instead of weeks. Sequences that work well are plough or subsoil → disc harrow → power harrow or roller, so that the seedbed is level, firm and free of large clods well before sowing. See crop-by-crop tool choices on the applications page.
2. Plant on moisture, not on the calendar
Wait for a rain that wets the soil to seeding depth, then plant immediately. Planting into dry soil risks germination on a light shower followed by failure; waiting too long costs yield and exposes the crop to a late-season dry spell. Keep the planter serviced and ready so the window is not lost to repairs.
3. Get spacing and population right
Decide the target plant population first, then set row spacing and in-row spacing to deliver it. Uniform spacing — not merely the right average — is what raises yield, because each plant must have the same access to water, light and nutrients. This is where a precision seeder earns its cost over a broadcasting or simple drill approach.
4. Place seed accurately, and consider no-till
Precision seeding places each seed at a controlled depth and spacing. On mulched or stubble-covered ground, no-till row units with individual depth control follow the contour far better than a conventional drill, and they conserve soil moisture. See the no-till precision seeder and other seeding equipment on the products page.
5. Fertiliser: right place, right time
Broadcast fertiliser is easily lost. Placing it beside the seed at planting improves uptake, and splitting nitrogen into a planting dose plus one or two top dressings usually beats a single application. Calibrate the spreader or planter for the actual product you bought — not for the label on last season's bag.
6. Weed control starts before the crop is visible
Maize loses most to weeds in the first six weeks. A pre-emergence herbicide applied to a level, clod-free seedbed works far better, and mechanical weeding with the right row spacing is easier and cheaper afterwards. Level seedbeds and accurate rows are therefore weed-control investments as much as planting decisions.
7. Keep records per field
Record the planting date, population achieved, variety, fertiliser and rainfall for each field. Two seasons of records turn buying decisions into arithmetic instead of guesswork.
Checklist
- Land prepared in the dry season; seedbed level and firm.
- Plant within days of the first effective rain.
- Target population set; row and in-row spacing computed.
- Precision seeding for uniform depth and spacing.
- Fertiliser placed, and split applied, not only broadcast.
- Pre-emergence weed control planned before planting.
Frequently asked questions
When should maize be planted in West Africa?
As soon as the first effective rain has wetted the soil to seeding depth, provided the seedbed was prepared before the rains. Calendar dates are a poor guide because the onset of the rains varies from year to year and between locations.
Is a precision seeder worth it for maize?
Yes where yield matters: uniform spacing and depth raise and stabilise yield, and they make weeding, fertilising and harvesting more predictable. On very small plots a simple planter can be enough, but the gain from uniformity is real.
Does no-till work for maize in West Africa?
No-till and conservation tillage work well where residues are retained and row units can place seed and fertiliser accurately. They conserve moisture and reduce erosion, which matters on the lighter soils of the savannah zones.