Abstract
The introduction of improved maize (Zea mays L.) varieties has met with only partial success, as measured by rates of adoption. As such, efforts have been made by International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to accelerate the process of maize seed adoption in Africa, through learning sites including the Kano-Katsina-Maradi (KKM PLS) in West Africa. The objective of this study was to ascertain the degree of success and factors affecting the adoption of improved maize seed varieties in the KKM PLS. The study used data from a midline survey sample of 1,800 households in 180 villages in the study area. Tobit regression model was used to identify the degree and characteristics important for adoption of improved maize seed varieties. Results indicated that affordability, knowledge on use and suitable packaging of technology were important adoption determinants. Other factors were gender, total farm size and extension agent visits. Households with older and more educated heads were also significantly more likely to adopt technologies.Keywords: IITA, learning sites, Zea mays
Highlights
Increasing agricultural productivity in Nigeria is of urgent necessity, for instance through the introduction and use of improved seed varieties
Seed is recognised to have the greatest ability of increasing on-farm productivity, since seed determines the upper limit of crop yields and the productivity of all other agricultural inputs (MoA, 2004; Bernard et al, 2010)
According to Pixley and Banziger (2001), when farmers recycle grain they are faced by risk of declined yields of between 5 percent for open pollinated varieties (OPV) and 30 percent for hybrids
Summary
Increasing agricultural productivity in Nigeria is of urgent necessity, for instance through the introduction and use of improved seed varieties. Seed is recognised to have the greatest ability of increasing on-farm productivity, since seed determines the upper limit of crop yields and the productivity of all other agricultural inputs (MoA, 2004; Bernard et al, 2010). This means that, to increase as well as sustain production volumes, it will be critical to find mechanisms that guarantee farmers access to improved and high yielding seed varieties. Low average yields in the developing world are responsible for this wide gap between global share of area and share of production. According to Pixley and Banziger (2001), when farmers recycle grain they are faced by risk of declined yields of between 5 percent for open pollinated varieties (OPV) and 30 percent for hybrids
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