Socio-economic factors impacting on maize productivity in contrasting agro-ecological zones in Nigeria

Abstract

The study looked at the socio-economic factors impacting on maize productivity in contrasting agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used for the study. Two states namely Ekiti and Oyo were purposefully selected for the study because they are one of the highest producers of maize in the region. 240 maize farmers were interviewed for the study. The methods of data analysis included, descriptive statistics, budgeting technique and multiple regression model. The result of the analysis of socio-economic characteristics showed that farmers in the rainforest AEZ with mean age of 51.9 years were older than their counterparts in the Ssouthern Guinea Savanna Maize production was found to be more profitable in the rainforest AEZ compared to the Southern Guinea Savanna AEZ. Farm sizewhich was significant at 1%nwas found to be one of the socio-economic variables that determined the productivity of maize in the Southern Guinea Savanna of the study area. Lack of capital was observed to be the major constraint to maize production in the study area. The study recommends that maize farming can be encouraged among the youths by government at all levels by providing micro credit facilities at low interest rates.Keywords: Maize Farmers, Southern Guinea Savanna, Rainforest, Multiple Regression Model, Profitability