Effects of Adoption of Striga Resistant Maize Production Technologies on Farmers’ Livelihood

Abstract on Effects of Adoption of Striga Resistant Maize Production Technologies on Farmers’ Livelihood

The broad objective of this study was to assess the effects of adoption of striga resistant maize production technologies on farmers’ livelihood in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The study was conducted in three communities namely: Kasua Magani, Dutsen Gaiya and Kufana. Primary data for the study were collected using well structured questionnaires administered to 120 adopters and 120 non- adopters of striga resistant maize production technologies farmers who were randomly selected; making a total of 240 respondents. The data collected were on improved striga resistant maize production technologies recommended practices such as, good land preparation, seed dressing, time of planting, seed rate, plant spacing, rate of inorganic fertilizer, organic manure and maize output, farm income and standard of living of the farmers. Descriptive statistics, Chow test and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results show that the level of adoption of technologies practices was high; fertilizer application was adopted most while weeding had the least adoption. Kaduna Development Project extension agents were reported as the major source of information on the technologies while the least information came through adopters’ friends. Age, marital status, extension contact, social organization and labour were positive and significant at 1% showing a direct influence on the adoption ofstriga resistant maize production technologies. Chow test analysis revealed that chow-F calculated was greater than F distribution indicating that the striga resistant maize production technology had effects in the lives of the adopters in term of their maize outputs, income and standard of living. Lack of money was mentioned among many other myriad problems as a constraint in achieving maximum production.

Chapter One of Effects of Adoption of Striga Resistant Maize Production Technologies on Farmers’ Livelihood

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Agriculture was the leading sector in the 1950’s and 1960’s. In terms of contribution to the economy, it accounted for 63% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in 1960 – 1964, 54% of the GDP in 1965 – 1969 (Aigbokan, 2001). According to Balogun (2001) agriculture accounted for about 65% – 69% of the total exports and decline to about 40% in 1970. By 1996, agricultural export accounted for less than 2% of the export.

Maize (Zea mays. L) is one of the important agricultural products and is the most important cereal crop in sub-Saharan Africa (Babaleyeet al., 2002).Maize ranks second following wheat in the world’s production of cereals. In 1989, the world production was 470.3 million metric tonnes from 129.6 million hectares with an average yield of 3.627kg/ha. Out of this, 36.4 million metric tonnes was produced in Africa. In West and Central Africa, the importance of maize is on the increase (Balogun, 2001). It is the most widely cultivated crop in the region, from the humid rainforest zone to the semi and Sudan Savannah and even the Sahel and from sea level to over 2000 metres altitude where over 5 million hectares are grown (Fajemisin, 1992). In 1994, the estimated total production of maize in Nigeria was 6.90 million metric tonnes from an estimated area of 5.43 million hectares of land (Lagoke et al., 1997). Maize production is currently attracting more attention than the more traditional cereal crops, such as sorghum and millet in subsistence farming systems in Northern Nigeria. This is attributed to increased demand for maize for the preparation of various food items and industrial purposes. Unfortunately, increased production has been constrained by a number of abiotic and biotic factors including striga (Lagoke et al., 1997).

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