Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crop 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 was to conduct a comparative study on the productivity of hybrid and open-pollinated maize, with the participation of farmers in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna state. Precisely, it evaluated the current hybrid and open-pollinated maize production technologies by describing their major socioeconomic factors, and most importantly identifying the economic difference between hybrid and open-pollinated maize, using the farm survey data collected from 160 maize farming communities in October- December for the cropping year 2009-'10. The result of analysis of resource use efficiency of hybrid and open- pollinated maize showed that all resources were inefficiently utilized because the ratios were not equal to one. The resource use efficiency of hybrid and open pollinated maize production in the study area was computed from Efficiency ratio r i.e., the ratio of MVP (Marginal Value Product) and MFC (Marginal Factor Cost). The ratio indicates that sampled farmers underutilized fertilizer and insecticides. The efficiency ratio for seeds, labour and herbicides were less than one showing that the sampled farmers over-utilized seeds, labour and herbicides on the farms. This study suggested the need to bring more area under hybrid maize cultivation. Furthermore, there is need for special training, seminars, field demonstrations and technical support for the maize farmers. As most of the communities 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 hybrid and open-pollinated maize production in the study area. Research Article
Highlights
The traditional area of maize cultivation in Nigeria has been the south of latitude 8°N where it can be grown twice a year
The age distribution of the hybrid and open pollinated maize farmers in the study area indicates 65% and about 39% of hybrid and open-pollinated maize farmers respectively were between the ages of 29 and 49 years and they are in active production
The result of hypothesis test of resource use efficiency of hybrid compared with open pollinated maize, shows that all the resources used in the production of hybrid and open-pollinated maize were not efficiently utilized
Summary
The traditional area of maize cultivation in Nigeria has been the south of latitude 8°N where it can be grown twice a year. Production of hybrid maize put, are the result of crossing two different breeding lines They represent the first generation originating from the cross (F1). They differ from pure line varieties and open-pollinated varieties in that the seed they produce will not be saved and replanted but the parental lines have to be crossed each time to produce new seed (Shull and East, 1910). These breed are known to be early flowery, drought resistant, more vigorous and uniform, traits not found in the existing open-pollinated breed (Duvick, 1999)
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