SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ADOPTION OF HYBRID MAIZE IN GIWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

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.