Abstract
The paper examines the level of awareness and identified the various improved maize varieties (IMVs) cultivated in Osun state, Nigeria. It also analyzed the socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption and intensity of use of improved maize varieties. A multistage sampling design was used to select 360 farming households that were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Data collected included demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of respondents such as age, household size, gender, farm size and other improved maize production related activities. Descriptive statistics and double hurdle model were used as analytical tools. Results showed that the level of awareness of improved maize varieties was 97.8%. About 91% of these estimates were adopters while 8.8% were non adopters. The double hurdle model estimates showed that age (t=4.50, p<0.05), level of education (t=3.33, p<0.05), farming experience (t=4.33, p<0.05), household size (t=2.18, p<0.05), farm size (t=4.02, p<0.05), and household’s distance to market (t=2.26, p<0.05) were significant determinants of adoption of IMVs while age of respondents (t=2.31, p<0.05), level of education (t=2.27, p<0.05), household size (t=2.79, p<0.05), farm size (t=2.51, p<0.05), frequency of contact with extension agent (t=10.46, p<0.05), off farm income (t=2.19, p<0.05), and membership in association (t=2.46, p<0.05) determined use intensity of improved maize varieties. The study concluded that policies that increase farmers’ level of education and effectiveness of extension services contact will facilitate adoption and use intensity of improved maize varieties. Key words: Adoption, use intensity, improved maize varieties; and double hurdle model.
Highlights
IntroductionAgriculture provides a leading source of employment and contributes large fractions of their national income
For most developing countries, agriculture provides a leading source of employment and contributes large fractions of their national income
The objective of this paper is to assess the level of technology (IMVs) adoption, identify improved maize varieties (IMVs) cultivated in the study location, and analyze the socioeconomic determinants of adoption and intensity of use of IMVs
Summary
Agriculture provides a leading source of employment and contributes large fractions of their national income. Provision of adequate food for an increasing population and supplying of adequate raw materials to and providing markets for the product of a growing industrial sector have been identified as part of the major roles of agriculture in the *. For agriculture to perform its roles towards economic development depends largely on agricultural productivity. High yielding seed varieties that are fertilizer responsive, tolerant to drought and resistant to pest is one of the key elements that constitute the pivot on which increased agricultural productivity per unit of land is rested (Idachaba, 1994).
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