Introduction Maize (Zea mays L.) is the principal staple crop, produced and consumed by most farming households in Ghana. It is produced predominantly by smallholder resource-poor farmers under rain-fed conditions.

The crop is well-adapted and grows in most of the ecological zones of Ghana including the northern savannah. It provides a major source of calories in many parts of Ghana. It has nearly replaced traditional staple crops like sorghum and pearl millet in northern Ghana. An average maize grain yield on farmers’ fields is about 1.7 t/ha as against an estimated achievable yield of about 6.0 t/ha (MoFA, 2011).

The major limiting factors to maize production in Ghana include drought during critical early stages of crop growth, low soil nutrient level (particularly nitrogen and phosphorus), striga, and pest and diseases infestations. Other limitations to maize production include poor management practices such as low plant populations, inappropriate planting time, inadequate control of weeds, lack of credit, limited use of inputs (especially fertilizer and improved seeds) as well as untimely application of adequate quantities of fertilizers, inadequate drying and storage facilities leading to high post-harvest losses and poor market access.

One of the major steps towards improving maize productivity in Ghana is the provision of extension advice to agricultural extension agents and farmers on good agronomic practices of maize production, hence the need to compile a production guide for the crop. This production guide therefore provides simplified good agricultural practices for maize production in more diverse areas of the country.

This is to ensure that farmers maximize the return from their investment in maize. Successful Recommended Production Practices for Maize in Ghana. CSIR/AGRA Page | 2 production of maize to a large extent depends on the timely adherence to all the recommended steps as outlined in this guide