Influence of improved open pollinated maize variety adoption on livelihood of farmers in Niger Sate, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the adoption of open pollinated improved maize variety in Niger State, Nigeria. To achieve the objectives of the study, 120 farmers were randomly selected from three Local Government Areas in the State. Validated interview schedule with reliability coefficient of 0.74 was used for collecting data and data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, livelihood index and multiple regression analysis. Result showed that the mean age of the respondents was 34 years, while the mean farm size was 1.9 ha. Finding indicated that 82.5% of the respondents were full adopters by cultivating improved maize variety in at least 10 % of their total farm lands. The result further revealed that educational level, income, incentive and time of awareness positively and significantly influenced adoption of improved maize variety, which upshot highly livelihood status of about 70.0% of the respondents. Thus, it was recommended that incentive such as free seed of improved varieties should be given to farmers for testing by the improved varieties’ promoters during awareness to facilitate adoption. It was also suggested that extension agents should synchronize awareness time with seasons of usage of the improved varieties to speed up the practical application of the improved varieties.