Harvest maize crop when husk of the cobs has turned into yellow or brown in color (cob sheath becomes dry) and grains become hard enough to crack when pressed under your teeth or having less than 30 % moisture. Do not wait for stalks and leaves to dry because they remain green in most of the hybrid and composite varieties.

The cobs are picked from standing crop by removing of dry husk and then dry them in sun for seven to eight days. Thereafter, grains are removed (separated) either by beating the cobs by sticks or with the help of maize Sheller. The separated grains should be sun dried and use for storage.