ANALYSIS OF FACTORS AFFECTING ADOPTION OF PREMIER HYBRID SEED AMONG MAIZE FARMERS IN SABON-GARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the factors affecting adoption of premier hybrid seed among maize farmers in Sabon-Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 54 respondents for the study. Primary data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire administered to (54) maize farmers in the study area. The data were analyzed using descriptive and logistic statistics (frequencies, percentages and logit regression model). The results of the socio economic characteristic of the maize farmers revealed that the mean age of the maize farmers was 35 years and average years of farming experience was 21 years. The average household size of the maize farmers was 8 persons per household. The result of the socio economic factors influencing adoption show that level of Awareness, Age, level of education, extension contact, household size, and output were positive and significant at different levels while farming experience was negative but significant at 10 percent. Major constraints affecting the adoption of premier hybrid maize seed were inadequate input, high cost of the hybrid maize seed, insufficient capital to boost their farming activity and high labour cost. It is therefore recommended that farmers should pull their resources together through cooperative or farmers association to be able to raise funds for the purchase of farm inputs at lower cost.