The influence of extension contacts and education on maize production in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examines the effects of extension contact and education on the output of maize farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 160 farmers selected using random sampling technique during the 2006 cropping season and analyzed using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) multiple regression analysis. The OLS result reveals that land, labour, education and extension contact are the significant factor that accounted for observation variation in output. The study recommends that farmers should increase farm size so as to maximize output. Effective extension service and adult education programmes should also be strengthened in the area.