Socio-economic factors affecting adoption of early maturing maize varieties by small scale farmers in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined the socio-economic factors affecting early maturing maize varieties adoption in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria. Using random sampling techniques, 300 maize farmers were selected across 10 communities in the Local Government area. Out of the 300 respondents sampled 163 were non-adopters and 137 were adopters. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, adoption index and Probit regression models. The major findings showed that 88% of respondents were male headed, average age of household head was 44 years, average household size was 11 persons, dependency ratio was 1.49, level of education was Islamic education, average years of schooling was 5 years and average years of farming was 25 years. About 65% of farmers had access to extension agent, only about 10% had access to credit and labor force was mostly family labor. Results of probit model showed that farmers’ size of land for maize cultivation (1%), farmers’ participation in an association (1%), number of extension contacts (10%), age of farmer (5%) and income from sales of maize (1%) influenced the adoption of early maturing maize varieties. The adoption of early maturing maize varieties has contributed in increasing the income of maize farming households as well as enhancing the status of maize farming households. Key words: Socio-economic factor, adoption, early maturing maize varieties.