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Every planting season, Nigerian farmers face the same pressures: unpredictable weather, rising input costs, and the constant question of whether this harvest will be worth the effort. For many, excellence goes unrewarded, good yields are taken for granted, and the farmer who works hardest rarely gets celebrated.

The 2026 National Maize Cob Challenge changes that.

What Is the National Maize Cob Challenge?

Jointly organised by Saro Agrosciences and Seed Co Nigeria, the National Maize Cob Challenge is a farmer competition designed around one of the most visible measures of maize quality,  the cob. It is open to maize farmers across Nigeria who plant with Seed Co hybrid seeds and protect their crops with Saro crop protection products.

The challenge is not just a competition. It is a statement: quality farming deserves recognition.

Why the Maize Cob?

The maize cob is more than a harvest trophy. It tells the full story of a season.

A large, well-formed cob reveals the quality of seeds used, the effectiveness of crop protection, the timing of soil nutrition, and the attentiveness of the farmer throughout the growing season. When Saro Agrosciences and Seed Co ask farmers to present their cobs for measurement, they are asking for evidence of a season done right.

This is what makes the challenge genuinely meaningful. It does not reward luck. It rewards best practice.

Who Can Enter and How

Participation is straightforward:

1. Buy Seed Co hybrid seeds and Saro crop protection products from your nearest agro-dealer. Keep your receipts, they serve as proof of purchase.

2. Register via the official registration link: forms.office.com/r/BpERPz6Kq6

3. During harvest, take a clear photo with your maize cob and share it on the official challenge post, so your field’s performance is on the record.

4. Deliver your cobs to the nearest Seed Co or Saro Agrosciences sales outlet for physical measurement and final entry verification.

That’s the full process. No complicated paperwork. No gatekeeping. Just farming, documented.

What Is at Stake

The prizes are concrete and practical the kind that go back into the farm.

1st Place — Motorcycle

2nd Place — ₦400,000 Agro Inputs

3rd Place — ₦300,000 Agro Inputs

4th Place — ₦200,000 Agro Inputs

6 Regional Winners — ₦150,000 Agro Inputs each

A motorcycle gives a farmer mobility  the ability to move produce, visit input dealers, reach markets faster. Agro inputs go directly back into next season’s productivity. These are not novelty prizes. They are investments in the farms that earn them.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters for Nigerian Agriculture

Nigeria’s maize sector is under pressure. Demand from food processors, livestock feed producers, and flour millers continues to grow, while yield averages remain below potential. The gap is often not in land or labour, it is in input quality and best practice adoption.

Challenges like this one do something that policies alone cannot: they create peer motivation. When a farmer in Benue sees a farmer in Oyo win with a cob from the same seed variety they have access to, it raises the bar. It shows that the ceiling is higher than assumed.

The partnership between Saro Agrosciences and Seed Co is deliberate. Seed Co’s hybrid seeds are bred for yield potential. Saro’s crop protection products are designed to protect that potential from pests, weeds, and disease. Together, they represent the input combination that gives Nigerian maize farmers the best shot at producing world-class cobs.

The challenge rewards farmers who use them well.

A Word to the Farmer Reading This

If you are already growing maize this season, ask yourself honestly: are you giving your crop the protection it deserves?

A strong cob does not happen by chance. It is the result of the right seed in the ground, the right product on the field at the right time, and a farmer who shows up consistently.

The registration window is open. The agro-dealers are stocked. The receipts need to be kept.

This season, grow with intention. Compete with confidence.

For enquiries on participation, call: 08077494225 or 08039925236

Register now: forms.office.com/r/BpERPz6Kq6

Download the FarmPropa app on the App Store or Google Play.

One of the most frustrating moments on the farm is simple:
you finish spraying your crop… and then the rain starts. The first thought is usually the same:
“Has all my effort been washed away?” Not always. It depends on timing. That’s where rainfastness comes in.

 

What “rainfastness” means

Rainfastness is simply: How long your spray needs to stay on the crop before rain can no longer wash it off.

Think of it like painting a fence. If rain falls before it dries, it washes away. But once it has dried and set, it stays. It’s the same with crop protection products.

Why timing matters so much.

After spraying, products need time to be absorbed.

• Rain within 30 minutes
  → High chance the spray is washed off
• Rain after 1–2 hours
  → Some protection remains, but effectiveness may reduce
• After full absorption
  → Spray is generally much more stable and effective

Not all sprays behave the same

Different products react differently to rain:

1. Herbicides (weed control)

• Some are absorbed into the plant
• Usually need about 1 hour or more
• Once absorbed, rain has less impact

2. Insecticides (insect control)

• Mostly stay on leaf surfaces
• Can wash off easily if rain comes too soon
• Need proper drying time

3. Fungicides (disease control)

• Often more sensitive to wash-off
• Timing and coverage are critical for best results

What can change the outcome

Even with the same product, results can vary because of:

• How heavy the rain is
• How fast the spray dried
• Sunlight or cloudy conditions
• Crop leaf type (waxy or smooth surfaces)

So… did the rain waste your spraying?

Here’s a simple guide:

• Rain within 30 minutes → likely reduced effectiveness
• Rain after 1–2 hours → partial loss possible
• Spray fully dried/absorbed → mostly still effective

So no — rain doesn’t automatically mean your money was wasted.

What farmers should do next time

• Always check the weather before spraying
• Spray early morning or late evening
• Avoid spraying when rain looks likely
• Ask for rainfast Saro products at the agro dealers shops.
• Always follow label instructions

Simple takeaway

Rain can be stressful after spraying, but timing is everything.

Good farming isn’t just about applying sprays, it’s about applying them at the right time, under the right conditions, with the right knowledge. For more practical farming tips and crop guidance, follow Saro Agrosciences on social media and download the FarmPropa App on Android and iOS.

One of the biggest mistakes farmers make is waiting to see weeds before taking action.

By the time weeds appear on the surface, they have already started competing with your crop beneath the soil, taking up nutrients, moisture, sunlight, and space your crop needs to grow strong.

And in the early stages of crop development, that competition can reduce yield before the season even properly begins.

Why Early Weed Control Matters

The first few weeks after planting are critical. This is when your crop is still developing roots and establishing itself in the field.

If weeds emerge during this stage, they compete aggressively with young crops and slow down healthy growth.

Many farmers experience this without realising how much it affects their final harvest.

A maize or rice field may look clean immediately after planting, but within days, weed seeds hidden in the soil begin to germinate. Once they emerge, they quickly spread across the field and begin stealing valuable nutrients and water meant for the crop.

This early weed pressure is one of the major causes of weak crop establishment and poor yields.

The Smarter Approach: Pre-Emergence Weed Control

Pre-emergence herbicides help stop weeds before they even appear.

Applied immediately after planting, these herbicides form a protective layer in the soil that prevents weed seeds from germinating and growing, giving your crop a clean and healthy start.

When applied correctly and at the right time, pre-emergence herbicides help to:

• Reduce early weed competition
• Support stronger crop establishment
• Save labour and weeding costs later
• Maintain cleaner fields for longer
• Improve overall crop performance and yield

Timing is everything.

For best results, pre-emergence herbicides should be applied immediately after planting, preferably within 24 hours, while the soil still has enough moisture.

Delaying application gives weeds the opportunity to emerge and compete with your crop.

Protect Your Crop from Day One

A clean start often determines the success of the season.

Using the right pre-emergence herbicide at the right time helps your crop grow stronger, healthier, and more productive from the very beginning.

Saro Agrosciences provides effective herbicide solutions designed to support farmers during this critical early growth stage across crops like maize, rice, soybean, and more.

Do not wait for weeds to take over before acting.

Start clean. Stay ahead with Saro Agrosciences.

May is not just another month on the calendar. For farmers across Nigeria, the rains are already knocking, and in many places, they have already arrived. If you plant the right crops now, while your neighbours are still planning, you will watch your farm grow.

Don’t let May pass without planting these five crops.

1. Rice
Rice is a staple food in Nigeria. Nearly every home eats rice. That demand means there is always a market for it. May to June is the best time to plant rice, especially in lowland areas where there is good water. Farmers in states like Kebbi, Niger, Anambra, and Cross River do very well with rice during this period.
One acre of rice farm, managed well, can produce over 100 bags. Within 3 to 4 months, your investment starts coming back.

Quick tips for rice:
* Land: Prepare your land well before planting. Clear all weeds and grasses and level the ground.
* Water: Rice needs water — plant it where water stays or flows slowly.
* Fertilizer: Apply fertilizer about two weeks after planting to boost growth.
* Pests: Watch for birds and insects. Check your farm regularly.
A farmer who knows his crop is a farmer who gets paid.

2. Cowpea (Beans)
Beans are serious business in Nigeria. It is cheap to plant, it grows fast, and people buy it all year long. For Northern farmers especially, cowpea is one of the most trusted crops of the season. Cowpea grows very well in the savanna regions of the northern states like Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Borno. But it also does well in drier parts of the South.

The good news? Cowpea can be harvested in as little as 60 to 90 days. That means if you plant in May, you could have beans ready by late June to July during a time when the market price is still high.

Quick tips for cowpea:
* Soil: Sandy-loam soil works best. Cowpea does not like too much water.
* Spacing: Plant 60cm by 20cm apart.
Pests: Cowpea attracts insects. Spray at the right time to protect your pods.
* Rotation: Do not plant cowpea in the same spot every year, change it with maize or sorghum.
The wise farmer plants beans in May and smiles in late June to July.

3. Cassava
Cassava is the backbone of many Nigerian homes. Whether it becomes garri, fufu, or eba, people eat it every day. Cassava can survive even when rain is not regular, but it does best when planted between April and June.

One good thing about cassava is that it is not too difficult to grow. Once it is in the ground and the rains are falling, it mostly takes care of itself. Harvest comes between 9 to 12 months.
Both Northern and Southern farmers can grow cassava. It works in many types of soil, as long as the ground drains well and does not stay waterlogged.

Quick tips for cassava:
• Stems: Use healthy, disease-free stems. Bad stems = bad harvest.
• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil gives the best result.
• Weeding: Weed in the first 3 months so the crop is not choked.
• Spacing: Plant 1 metre by 1 metre apart for good root development.

Cassava is patient. But only the farmer who plants in time gets to harvest.

4. Maize (Corn)
Maize is a crop that almost every Nigerian farmer knows, and for good reason. It grows well in both the North and the South. It is one of the first crops to plant once the rains begin.

In the South, you can start planting maize from April. But if you have not started yet, May is still a very good time. In the North, especially in areas like Kaduna, Kano, and Benue, May is actually the right time to begin, just as the rain is starting to come in.

Maize takes about 3 to 4 months to harvest. Plant it now, and you could be selling or feeding your family by August or September.

Quick tips for maize:
● Soil: Maize loves loose, deep soil. Avoid land that holds too much water.
● Spacing: Plant 75cm between rows and 50cm between stands.
● Weeding: Weed early at 2 weeks and again at 4–5 weeks after planting.
● Herbicide: Use a pre-emergence herbicide right after planting to stop weeds before they start.

5. Groundnut
Groundnut is one of the most valuable crops in Northern Nigeria. It is a cash crop, a food crop, and it even helps your soil by adding nutrients back into the ground after harvest. May is the right time to plant groundnut, especially in the North. States like Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, and Gombe have the right kind of sandy soil that groundnut loves.

Groundnut takes about 3 to 5 months to harvest. You can sell the raw nuts, the oil, or the cake, there is always a buyer. And because it improves the soil, whatever you plant there next season will do even better.

Quick tips for groundnut:
• Soil: Sandy, well-drained soil is best. Avoid heavy clay.
• Planting: Plant as soon as the first rains come and the soil is moist.
• Weeding: Weed at 3 and 6 weeks after planting.
• Harvest: When the leaves start turning yellow, it is almost time — dig carefully so you do not break the pods.

Groundnut feeds the family, pays the school fees, and improves the farm. That is three wins in one crop. Before You Plant, Get the Right Information. Every crop on this list can give you a good harvest this season. But the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest is information.

What fertilizer should you use? When should you spray? What seed variety works in your area? These are questions that can save you money and increase your yield.

Use the FarmPropa app to get planting guides, tips, and advice that match your location and your crop. FarmPropa is available on Android and iOS.

Every planting season, something interesting happens across farmlands.

Two farmers. Same seed variety. Same rain. Same resources. But by harvest time, one farmer is counting gains while the other is counting losses.

It happens more often than people talk about. And the reason is almost never the seed.

The Seed Is Not the Problem

Many farmers blame poor harvests on bad seeds. Sometimes that is true; other times, the seed did its job. What failed was everything that happened before and after the seed.

The soil. The spacing. The timing. The preparation. The protection.

These are the things that separate a good harvest from a disappointing one, and they are all within a farmer’s control.

What the Farmer With Better Results Did Differently

1. He Tested and Prepared His Soil First

Good soil is not just about being “fertile.” It is about being ready.

Before planting, the better farmer checked:

• Soil moisture: Is the ground moist enough to support germination? Not waterlogged. Not bone dry.
• Drainage: Does water sit on the surface after rain, or does it drain well? Waterlogged soil rots seeds and roots.
• Soil texture: Loamy soil works best for maize and rice. It holds moisture without becoming too heavy.

He also avoided compacted soil. Compacted ground makes it hard for roots to push down, which stunts the plant early.

2. He Did Not Rush After the First Rain

This is one of the most common mistakes Nigerian farmers make, especially in southern states where early showers can arrive in March or April and then stop.

The better farmer waited. He watched the rain come consistently for several days before he planted. He knew that planting after one rain and then having the soil dry out means the seed either fails to germinate or the young plant dies before it establishes.

The rule is simple: wait for the rain to settle, not just arrive.

3. He Got His Spacing Right

Spacing is not just about how many plants fit in your farm. It is about how well each plant can grow.

When plants are too close together, they compete for water, nutrients, and sunlight. The result is weak, thin plants that produce less.

For maize:

Plant in rows 75cm apart, with 25–30cm between each seed in the row. One seed per hole, 3–5cm deep.

For rice (upland):

Row spacing of 20–25cm, with 15–20cm between plants. Do not overcrowd; rice needs air circulation to stay healthy.

Proper spacing gives each plant room to develop strong roots and a full canopy. That is where yield comes from.

4. He Planted at the Right Depth

Too shallow birds eat the seed, or it dries out before germinating.

Too deep, the seedling struggles to push through to the surface.

For maize, 3–5cm is the right depth. For rice seeds being transplanted, keep roots well-covered but seedlings upright.

Depth matters more than most farmers realise.

5. He Protected the Soil After Planting

After putting the seed in the ground, the better farmer did not just walk away and wait.

He applied a pre-emergence herbicide immediately after planting, before weeds had any chance to establish. He knew that weeds emerging at the same time as his crop would compete with it at its most vulnerable stage.

He also avoided disturbing the soil after herbicide application, because breaking the surface breaks the protective barrier the herbicide creates.

Conclusion

The farmer with the better harvest did not have better luck. He made better decisions. Be the Farmer With More Bags. The seeds will do their part. Make sure you do yours. Quality seeds & pre-emergence herbicides from Saro Agrosciences are available at the agro dealer near you, or download FarmPropa (Android & iOS) to request them.

The moment your seed enters the soil, your responsibility doesn’t end, it actually begins. Many farmers make the mistake of waiting until weeds are visible before they act. But in farming, waiting often means losing.

Young maize is fragile in its early stages. It may look fine on the surface, but beneath that soil, it is in a constant struggle. Weeds are silent competitors, fighting for the same water, sunlight, and nutrients your crop needs to survive and grow. And because they emerge early and aggressively, they often gain the upper hand before the farmer even notices.

Studies have shown that uncontrolled weed growth in the early weeks can reduce maize yield by up to 50%. That loss doesn’t announce itself loudly, it happens quietly, day by day, when your crop is still too weak to defend itself. Even if weeds are cleared later, the damage from those early weeks cannot be fully recovered.

That is why timing is everything.

Act Before the Weeds Appear

The most effective farmers don’t wait for weeds to show. They prevent them from ever taking control. This is done by applying a pre-emergence herbicide immediately after planting, before weeds have a chance to break through the soil.

This creates a protective barrier in the soil. As weed seeds begin to germinate, they are stopped at the earliest stage. Your maize, on the other hand, is left to grow in peace—no competition, no struggle, no early stress.

The first 3 to 6 weeks matter the most. With a clean field, your crop establishes stronger roots, develops healthier stems, and builds the foundation it needs for a high and reliable yield.

This is not reactive farming. This is protective farming. You are not chasing problems—you are preventing them.

Conclusion

Weeds do not wait for the right time. Neither should you.

Act immediately after planting. Reach out to your SARO Agrosciences dealer to access trusted pre-emergence herbicides, or request via the FarmPropa app (available on Android and iOS) for product guidance and practical farming support.

Give your maize what it needs most in the beginning – clean soil, full sunlight, and uninterrupted access to nutrients. That early protection is what sets the stage for a successful harvest.

The rains have started in some areas, and many farmers are already preparing to plant.

But here’s the truth: starting early is good; starting right is better.

Before you rush into planting, take a moment to set your farm up for success.

These four steps will make all the difference this season.

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 1. Prepare Your Land Properly

The first rain is not your signal to plant immediately. It’s your signal to get your land ready

Clear existing weeds, debris, and unwanted growth. Poor land preparation leads to:

•  Weak crop establishment
•  Higher weed competition
•  Lower yields

Start clean. It sets the tone for everything else.

2. Control Weeds Before They Start

Weeds don’t wait, and if you delay, they take over quickly.

This is the best time to plan your weed control:

Use land-clearing solutions before planting

Apply pre-emergence herbicides after planting to stop weeds before they grow

Early control is always easier and more effective than trying to fix a weed problem later. Reach out to your closest Saro dealer for herbicides; send us a message on WhatsApp or request via the FarmPropa app

3. Watch Out for Early Pest Activity

Rain brings life, but it also brings pests.

Even before your crops fully establish, pests can begin to cause damage.

Don’t wait until you see visible destruction. Early detection helps you avoid bigger losses.

4. Don’t Rush – Time Your Planting Right

One rainfall doesn’t guarantee stable moisture.

Planting too early can lead to:

• Poor germination
• Seed loss
• Uneven crop growth

Observe the rainfall pattern and ensure the soil has consistent moisture before planting.

Conclusion

A successful season doesn’t start with rain. It starts with good decisions

Take the time to prepare, plan, and protect your farm properly. Because in farming, what you do at the beginning determines everything that follows.

A successful farming season isn’t just about how much you grow; it’s about how much of your harvest you can preserve, sell, and put to use.

In 2022 alone, nearly 1 billion tonnes of food were wasted worldwide, almost one-fifth of all food available to consumers. For farmers, this translates to lost income, wasted effort, and reduced returns.
Beyond the farm, food loss and waste also take a heavy toll on the environment. They contribute up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, nearly five times that of the aviation sector, and up to 14% of global methane emissions. By reducing waste, farmers cannot only increase their profit but also contribute to a more sustainable planet.

The good news? Reducing food waste starts right on the farm. With the right planning, handling, and timing, you can protect your harvest, maximize your returns, and farm smarter.

1. Plan Your Production Properly
   Overproduction is one of the biggest causes of waste. Before planting, take a moment to assess:

• Market demand for your crops.

• Storage capacity.

• Available labor.

Plant only what you can sell, consume, or store properly. Smart planning today means less waste and more profit tomorrow.

2. Timing Is Everything
   Applying inputs, like herbicides or fertilizers at the wrong time can reduce yield and quality.

• Use the right product at the right stage.

• Follow recommended schedules for crop protection.

• Better timing leads to healthier crops, higher-quality produce, and less waste after harvest.

3. Harvest at the Right Stage
   Harvesting too early or too late can reduce the value and shelf life of your produce.

• Harvest at the stage when crops are fully mature but not overripe.

• Maintain quality to protect market value and minimize losses.

4. Handle and Store Produce Properly
   A significant portion of post-harvest waste comes from poor handling and storage.

• Avoid rough handling during harvest and transport.

• Use proper storage facilities to extend shelf life.

• Keep produce protected from pests, moisture, and spoilage.

• Proper care ensures more of your harvest reaches the market.

5. Plan to Avoid Waste
   Waste often comes down to lack of planning.

• Avoid buying excess inputs that might go unused.

• Schedule your harvests and sales carefully.

• Be intentional at every stage, from planting to selling.

When you plan better, manage your harvest, and handle crops correctly, you reduce waste and boost profits. Waste less. Earn more. Farm smarter.

Need the right products and guidance this season? Reach out to us via our social media channels or request directly on FarmPropa, available on Play Store and App Store.

Let’s make this season more productive, profitable, and sustainable.

For many farmers, the excitement of the planting season is often met with a frustrating reality. Not all seeds survive until it’s time to sow. Moisture, pests, heat, and poor storage practices can reduce germination, damage seeds, and ultimately lower yields. Wasting seeds isn’t just costly, it can set back an entire planting season and threaten the success of your farm.

The good news is that with a few simple, practical steps, you can protect your seeds, preserve their viability, and give your crops the strong start they need.

Here are five practical ways to store your seeds safely.

1. Keep the seeds dry

Moisture is the biggest enemy of seeds. Even a little water can cause mold or rot. Make sure your seeds are completely dry before storing. You can air-dry them in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight, which can damage them.

2. Store using airtight containers

Store your seeds in airtight containers such as glass jars, plastic containers with tight lids, or sealed envelopes. This prevents moisture, insects, and pests from getting in. Label each container with the seed type and date of storage for easy tracking.

3. Store in cool, dark places

Heat and sunlight reduce seed viability. Choose a storage spot that is cool, dry, and dark, like a cupboard, storage box, or even a small underground pit if temperatures are high. Avoid storing near stoves, heaters, or direct sunlight.

4. Store separately by seed varieties

Different seeds have different storage needs and lifespans. Keep each variety in its own container to avoid mixing and confusion. This also prevents faster-aging seeds from affecting others.

5. Periodically check on the seeds

Stored seeds need occasional checks. Look for signs of mold, pests, or damaged seeds. If you find affected seeds, remove them immediately to prevent contamination of the rest.

Pro tip: Some farmers add small packets of dry rice or charcoal inside containers to absorb moisture. It’s a simple, cheap way to keep seeds dry longer.

In conclusion,

Proper seed storage isn’t just about keeping seeds safe; it’s about ensuring a healthier, more productive harvest when the rains finally arrive. Taking the time now to dry, organize, and protect your seeds can make a big difference when planting season arrives. Equally important is choosing seeds suited to your region—varieties that can withstand low rainfall, resist Striga, or thrive through longer seasons give your crops a stronger start and a better chance of reaching their full potential.

SeedCo’s research-driven varieties offer the resilience, adaptability, and productivity you need for all seasons. If you’re unsure about how to store your seeds or which varieties will work best for your farm, don’t hesitate to reach out. Share your questions with us on any of our social media pages, we’ll be happy to guide you. Wishing you a prosperous farming season ahead.