Abstract:
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crops in Nigerian agriculture.
The crop occupies a crucial place than other cereal crops since it is used as food, feed,
fodder and other industrial raw material. The aim of this study is to identify the socioeconomic factors that influence farmers’ decision to adopt hybrid maize in Giwa Local
Government Area of Kaduna state, Nigeria using the farm household survey data
collected from 160 maize farmers in October- December 2009 for the cropping year
2009-10. This paper presents the results of an empirical application of maximum
likelihood estimate of Logit Model to determine the factors influencing farmers’
adoption of hybrid maize. The results indicates that the mean predicted probability of
technology adoption was Age (X1) (P<0.013), income (X5) (p<0.034), education (X6)
(p<0.001) and extension visits (X7) (P<0.017). On the contrary, farming experience,
family size, farm size had no significant influence on participation in hybrid maize. This
study suggests the need to bring more area under hybrid maize cultivation.
Furthermore, there is a need for special training, seminars, field demonstrations and
technical support for the maize farmers. As most of the households had no formal
education, the extension program should be intended to the less educated farmers. In
addition, the credit facility particularly the procedure for loan should be made simple to
improve the adoption rate of hybrid maize in the study area.
