Economic Viability of Green Ear Maize Production in the Ethiopian Highlands

Abstract

Maize is a cornerstone of food security and income generation in Ethiopia, serving dual purpose as both grain and green ear. Despite its nutritional and economic significance, green ear production remains underexploited, largely due to limited farmer awareness and restricted access to improved varieties. Therefore, this study was conducted to demonstrate the profitability and practical potential of green-ear production using improved maize varieties. A participatory demonstration was implemented in Wolmera and Ejere districts during the 2023/2024 cropping season using Ambo and Jibat maize hybrids on two hectares of land. Fifteen farmers participated under the technical supervision of the Highland Maize Breeding program at Holeta Agricultural Research Center. The partial budget analysis revealed that the total production cost was 136,708 ETB (≈ $999.2), while farmers harvested a total of 800 sacks of green ears, generating total revenue of 1,280,000 ETB (≈ $9,384.2). The resulting net income was 1,143708 ETB (≈ $8384.96), yielding a revenue-to-cost ratio of 9.39, which confirms the high economic viability of green ear production. Beyond income generated, farmers also benefited from utilizing green stover as livestock feed. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that green ear maize farming is a profitable and sustainable enterprise able to improve household income, enhance youth employment opportunities, and contribute to food security in Ethiopia’s highlands.