From seed selection to harvest — a practical guide to growing maize, rice, wheat, sorghum, millet, and other cereals.
Cereals and grains are grass plants grown for their edible seeds. They include maize, rice, wheat, sorghum, millet, barley, and oats. These crops form the staple diet for billions of people and are a major source of calories, carbohydrates, and energy. Cereal farming can be rain-fed or irrigated and is practiced from small homesteads to large commercial fields.
This guide walks you through each stage of cereal production, from choosing the right seeds to harvesting and storing your grain.
Select a cereal from the menu in the top right to view quick facts and growing notes.
Select a cereal above to view information.
Select varieties suited to your climate, soil, and rainfall. Early-maturing varieties work well in short rainy seasons; drought-tolerant types suit dry areas. Check whether you need hybrid or open-pollinated seeds—hybrids often yield more but cannot be saved for the next season.
Buy from certified suppliers or trusted agro-dealers. Good seeds are uniform in size, free from disease, and have high germination rates (above 80%). Avoid cracked, discoloured, or mixed seeds. If saving your own seed, select from healthy plants and store properly to maintain vigour.
Use the recommended seed rate for your crop and spacing. Maize typically needs 20–25 kg per hectare, rice 80–100 kg, wheat 100–120 kg, and sorghum 8–10 kg. Under-seeding reduces yield; over-seeding wastes seed and leads to overcrowding.
Prepare land before the rains or irrigation season. Clear crop residue and weeds, then plough to loosen the soil. Harrowing breaks clods and levels the surface for even planting. For rice, fields may need bunding and puddling to hold water. Good land preparation improves seed-to-soil contact, water infiltration, and root growth.
Tillage can be done by hand (hoe), animal-drawn implements, or tractor. Minimum tillage or no-till is an option where soil erosion or labour is a concern—it preserves soil structure and moisture.
Plant at the onset of rains for rain-fed cereals, or according to your irrigation schedule. Late planting reduces yield because the crop may face drought or pests during critical growth stages. Consult local extension services or seed companies for recommended planting dates in your area.
Follow recommended spacing for your variety. Maize is often planted 75 cm between rows and 25 cm within rows; rice and wheat are broadcast or drilled in rows. Plant seeds at the right depth—usually 3–5 cm for maize and wheat, 2–3 cm for rice. Too shallow risks drying out; too deep delays emergence.
Use drilling (placing seeds in furrows), dibbling (making holes and dropping seeds), or broadcasting (for rice and some small grains). Row planting eases weeding, spraying, and harvesting. Ensure even distribution to avoid gaps or overcrowding.
Cereals need adequate water, especially during germination, flowering, and grain filling. Rain-fed farmers depend on seasonal rainfall; irrigated farmers use canals, pumps, drip, or sprinklers. Rice often requires flooded or puddled fields; maize, wheat, and sorghum do better with well-drained soil.
Match irrigation to crop stage—avoid water stress during tasselling and grain fill. Overwatering can cause root rot and lodging. In dry areas, drought-tolerant cereals like sorghum and millet are good choices.
Test soil to know which nutrients are lacking. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are essential for cereals. Apply fertiliser based on soil results and crop requirements.
Apply basal fertiliser at planting and top-dress with nitrogen during vegetative growth. For maize, a common practice is to apply DAP or NPK at planting and urea at 4–6 weeks. Use organic matter (compost, manure) where available to improve soil structure and fertility over time.
Splitting nitrogen applications reduces leaching and improves uptake. Apply a portion at planting and the rest at tillering or before flowering, depending on the crop.
Weeds compete with cereals for light, water, and nutrients. Control weeds early—the first 4–6 weeks are critical. Hand weeding, hoeing, or mechanical cultivation are common. Use herbicides only when necessary and follow label instructions.
Pre-emergence herbicides can be applied before weeds appear; post-emergence products target weeds after crop emergence. Crop rotation and clean seed help reduce weed pressure. In rice, flooding suppresses many weeds.
Inspect fields regularly for pests (e.g. stem borers, armyworms, aphids) and diseases (e.g. rust, blight, mildew). Early detection allows timely action.
Use cultural practices (resistant varieties, crop rotation, clean seed), biological control where possible, and chemical pesticides only when needed. Follow recommended rates and safety intervals before harvest.
After harvest, protect grain from weevils and moths. Dry grain well, use clean and sealed storage, and consider safe insecticide treatments or hermetic bags for long-term storage.
Harvest when grain is mature—kernels are hard and moisture is low (around 12–14% for safe storage). Late harvest increases losses from birds, pests, shattering, and rain. Maize is ready when the cob husk turns brown and kernels are hard; rice when panicles bend and grains are golden.
Harvest by hand (cutting stalks, picking cobs, or threshing in the field) or with combine harvesters on larger farms. Handle grain carefully to avoid breakage and contamination.
Separate grain from stalks, cobs, or panicles by threshing. Dry grain on mats, tarpaulins, or drying floors to reach safe moisture levels. Proper drying prevents mould and insect damage in storage.
Store in clean, dry, and rodent-proof structures. Use hermetic bags or treated grain for longer storage. Keep records of quantity and quality for marketing or home use.
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Related guides: Legumes | Vegetables | Roots & Tubers | Fruits | Cash Crops
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