PRODUCTION CONSTRAINTS OF MAIZE CROP AMONG GROWERS, EXTENSION AGENTS, AND RESEARCHERS IN SOME EGYPTIAN GOVERNORATES OF LOW MAIZE PRODUCTIVITY

Abstract

This research aims at recognizing the implementation levels of the technical recommendation of maize crop among growers, identifying the constraints facing maize production from growers extension agents and researchers point of views, and determining the differences between constraint ranks provided by each of growers, extension agents and researchers. This research was conducted in three governorates with low averages of maize crop production yield than the average of the country. These governorates were : Sharkia, Kalubia and Bane Swif. A district in each governorate was selected as the largest district in maize crop cultivated area. So the largest village in the three selected districts were the research area. A sample from each village were selected under the supervision of extensonists. Its reached 65,63 and 61 from the three governorates Sharkia, Kalubia and Bane Swif respectively. The Total sample of growers were 189. The respondents of the extension agent were as follows 24,20 and 12 for three the governorates of Sharkia, Kalubia and Bane Swif respectively, their total amount were(56). The experts and researchers specialists in maize production were(12) from field crop research institute A.R.C and (5) from Kafer El hamam Agric. Res. Stations and (8) from Sids Agric. Res. Station. The total were (25)respondents. Data were collected from growers,ext. agents and researchers through focus group discussion. Kruskal Wallas test was the tool for statistical analysis beside frequencies and percentage. The main Results revealed that there were significant differences between constraints ranks among the three studied groups. So the research emphasized to determine constraints through various sources for seeking to a comprehensive list The most important respondents suggested solution to face constraints of maize production were: Early announcing about rewarding prices for crop, Obligation of the government to the declared prices and Providing enough gats for delivery the crop at suitable time of harvesting.