In a maize shortage year, farmers sometimes harvest an immature crop because of the high market demand. Normal maturity for the recommended varieties is 110 days after planting, though some early maturing varieties of 90 days are available from the government seed centers or local experiment stations but give lower yields. The single crop or the first crop of double cropping are harvested in the rainy season. Stripped cobs are removed from the plants and packed in bags in the field. Harvested maize is transported by a range of hand, animals and engine powered carts to storage cribs or local dealers.
Some farmers move the cobs immediately after harvest to a prepared area for shelling and sale.
Most local dealers provide shellers for farmer's maize by contract. Shelling cost is paid by farmers. One who is not satisfied with the offered price will dry the cobs and keep them in a crib until the price is more acceptable. Since harvesting is mainly in the rainy season, maize drying is difficult. Farmers will keep maize on the cob either wet or dry while local dealers, who always face a shortage of storage facilities, will keep maize only as shelled grain.