Maize in China: Production Systems, Constraints, and Research Priorities

This report was undertaken as part of a seven-country project to promote the sustainable intensification of maize production systems in upland environments in Asia. Maize is cultivated throughout China and plays a key role in farm households through its contribution to food, feed, and income. As one of the primary sources of feed in China, it has played an important role in the rapid development of poultry and livestock industries. Maize production environments are characterized in the report using findings from primary farm and village level data collected across China’s maize belt. An assessment of technological constraints and needs of farm households is presented in the report, as well as the results of a maize research priority-setting workshop, where farm and village level information and experience were utilized to focus on the role of research and technology development in improving maize productivity. The identification of constraints to maize production highlighted differences in the surveyed regions, but also revealed many common problems encountered by maize farmers. Drought was targeted as a key constraint, along with others such as poor on-farm crop management, lack of technology and information dissemination, and poor seed quality. Participating farmers and scientists discussed a range of possible solutions to eliminate or minimize the effect of the constraints. Some of the constraints can largely be addressed through technological solutions, although the mere availability or development of technological solutions does not guarantee either their accessibility to farmers or their on-farm use. A challenging and unique mix of government intervention and liberalization of agricultural and market policies continue to influence maize production in China. Addressing the complex set of identified priority constraints to future maize production will necessarily involve a combination of science and policies to tackle the broader issues of markets, infrastructure, and farmer capacity.