THE IMPACT OF ADOPTION OF IMPROVED MAIZE VARIETIES ON

FARMERS’ LIVELIHOOD IN SUMAILA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

OF KANO STATE.

BY

GARBA YUSHA’U GOJE

FCAPT/HND/AEM/16/0002

A PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND MANAGEMENT,

FEDERAL COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE TECHNOLOGY,

KANO

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

AWARD OF HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN AGRICULTURAL

EXTENSION AND MANAGEMENT.

FEBRUARY, 2019

1
 DECLARATION

I GARBA Yusha‟u Goje (FCAPT/HNDAEM/16/002) hereby declare that the report contained in

this research project is a result of my original work and was not written for me or copied from

elsewhere, except where relevant published literature was consulted, which is duly

acknowledged with appreciation. It is hope that this work would make a significant scientific

contribution to the development of adoption of improved maize technology in Nigeria.

GARBA YUSHA’U GOJE Date

2
 CERTIFICATION

This research project entitled “The Impact of Adoption of Improved Maize Varieties on

Farmers’ Livelihood in Sumaila Local Government Area of Kano State” has been made

under close supervision of a duly assigned supervisor from the department; and the survey

research work having been real, observed and corrected by the erudite supervisor so assigned,

has been affirmed to have met the standard and requirements governing the award of Higher

National Diploma, Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano, and is approved

for its contribution to scientific knowledge and literary presentation.

This research has conformed to the standards, rules and regulations governing project research

in the department.

This project is hereby certified by:

Mal. Aisha A. Maiwada Date

Project Supervisor

Mr. Tayo Oni Date

Head of Department
(HOD, AGRIC EXT. MGT)

External Examiner Date

3
 DEDICATION

To my beloved wife Mrs. Aisha G. Yusha‟u and my children Muradi (Desire) and

Theophilus who were always there for me, thank you for your care and love and above all to

Almighty God who gave us life.

4
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My first and foremost gratitude goes to Almighty God for how far He has helped me
through the course of my educational career. I am also grateful to my supervisor Malama
(Hajiya) Aisha Maiwada for her diligence and tireless correction to ensure the successful
completion of this project. My profound gratitude also goes to my Head of Department Mr. Tayo
Oni, Head of Department PMT; Mal. Bashir Barau, Examination Officer; Mal. Danladi and Mr.
James Daniel for the impact they all have made on me during the course of my studies. May the
Lord Almighty crown all your efforts.

My friends Jamilu Abubakar, Aminu Baba Shehu, Ignatius Ubetu, Ummi Abdulmalik,
Sarah Peter, Salamatu Yusuf, Jumoke, Egbon Joe, Saha, Christiana John, Opeyemi, Babayaro,
Daniel, amidst others. It was a pleasure knowing you all.

To my wife Aisha Yusha‟u (Mrs.) and my children Muradi and Theophilus, am most
grateful for enduring to stay even in my absence for the sake of self and family development, for
the love which you gave me and support despite all struggles which seems as if it wouldn‟t end
but your encouragement made it a success.

To my course mates, friends‟ well-wishers who have in one way or the other contributed
to my life both personally and academically, it has been a great privilege to spend such a time
with you. God bless you all.

5
 ABSTRACT

Increasing the productivity of maize-based cropping systems has strategic importance for food
security and socio-economic stability. This study assessed the impact on adoption of improved
maize varieties on farmers‟ livelihood in Sumaila Local Government Area of Kano State,
Nigeria. The study examined the socio-economic characteristics of the maize farmers, determined
adoption rate of improved maize varieties by the farmers, determined the factors influencing
adoption of improved maize varieties, determined the impact of adoption of improved maize
varieties on income and livelihood of the adopters and non - adopters and identified the
constraints encountered by the farmers in the adoption of improved maize varieties. Primary data
were used for the study. A multi – stage sampling technique was employed in the selection of the
respondents used for the study. The primary data were collected using structured questionnaire
administered to 60 farmers. Descriptive statistics, adoption index and t – test were used for the
analysis of data. The results of the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers revealed that for
age distribution, 33.3% of the maize farmers were between the ages of 35-44 years, 30.0% were
between 25-34 years while 20.0% were between 45-54 years and 13.3% were between 55 years
of age and above. For maize farming experience, 13.3% of maize farmers had 1-5 years, 30% had
6-10 years and 23.3% had 11-15 years, while 33.3% had 16 years and above. For educational
status, non-formal education had the highest respondents with 30%, followed by primary level
with 26.7%, tertiary level had 23.3% while secondary level had the least with 20.0%. For farm
size, 10.0% had farm size of 0.25 hectares, 23.3% had 0.5 hectares and 20% had 2 acres while
46.7% had above 1 hectare. For method of land acquisition, 66.7% of the farmers in the study
areas respectively acquired their land through inheritance, 30.0% farmers acquired land through
purchase while only 3.3% farmers leased/rented land for production purpose. For cooperative
membership, 70% of respondents did not participate in any Cooperative Association while 30%
participated as cooperatives members. The constraints to adoption of improved maize varieties in
the study area were identified by the respondents, in order of their severity as first unavailability
of improved seeds 46.7%, high fertilizer demand of IMV 20.0% was second, then high cost of
improved seeds as the third constraint had 16.7%, awareness of seed classes 13.3% was the
fourth and small size of landholding ranked the least (3.3%). The mean annual income of the
adopters of improved maize varieties (N 184,200) is higher than the mean income of the non -
adopters (N 54,750) (p<0.05) which implies that after the adoption of improved maize varieties
farmers realized higher income and yield. Thus, it is recommended that adoption of improved
maize varieties should be enhanced through the increased availability of improved maize
varieties as some farmers are very much interested in cultivating these varieties but do not have
access to them. The government and other Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) should
do their part in creating awareness via radio and phone messages to facilitate the access and
mobilize farmers to adopt the improved varieties so that farmers can improve their agricultural
productivity and then improve their livelihood.

6
 TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page.....................................................................................................................................i

Declaration................................................................................................................................ii

Certification.............................................................................................................................iii

Dedication.................................................................................................................................iv

Acknowledgement.....................................................................................................................v

Abstract....................................................................................................................................vi

Table of contents......................................................................................................................vii

CHAPTER ONE........................................................................................................................1

1.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................9
1.1 Background of the Study...................................................................................................9
1.2 Statement of the Problem................................................................................................13
1.3 Research Questions.........................................................................................................15
1.4 Objectives of the Study...................................................................................................15
1.5 Significance of the Study................................................................................................16
1.6 Scope and Delimitation of the Study..............................................................................16
CHAPTER TWO...........................................................................................................................17
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................................................................17
2.1 Origin and History of Maize...........................................................................................17
2.2 Economic Importance of Maize......................................................................................17
2.3 Adoption of Improved Maize Technology......................................................................19
2.4 Factors Influencing the Rate of Adoption of Improved Maize Varieties.......................19
2.5 Impact on Adoption of Improved Maize Varieties among Farmers...............................22
2.6 Theoretical Framework: Technology Adoption..............................................................22
2.7 Conceptual Framework: Impact of Adoption.................................................................23
CHAPTER THREE.......................................................................................................................26
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................26
3.1 Description of the Study Area.........................................................................................26
3.2 Sampling Procedure and Sample Size............................................................................28

7
 3.3 Method of Data Collection..............................................................................................28
3.4 Data Analysis..................................................................................................................28
3.4.1 Descriptive statistics................................................................................................28
3.4.2 Adoption Index........................................................................................................29
3.4.3 T – Test....................................................................................................................29
3.5 Operational Definitions and Measurement of Variables.................................................30
CHAPTER FOUR.........................................................................................................................32
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION.........................................................................................32
4.1 Socio-economic Characteristics of Respondent Farming Households...........................32
4.1.1 Socio-economic characteristics of respondents.......................................................32
4.2. RESPONSES TO LEVEL OF AWARENESS AND RATE OF ADOPTION OF
IMPROVED MAIZE VARIEITIES..........................................................................................38
4.2.1 Level of Awareness of improved maize varieties....................................................38
4.2.2 Rate of adoption of improved maize varieties.........................................................38
4.2.3 Farmers‟ sources of information of improved maize varieties in the study area....39
4.2.4 Farmers‟ Extension Contacts..................................................................................40
4.2.5 Improved Maize Varieties adopted by farmers‟......................................................41
4.3. Factors influencing adoption of improved maize varieties.............................................42
4.3.1 Yield........................................................................................................................42
4.3.2 Extension Contact....................................................................................................42
4.3.3 Educational Level and Household size....................................................................43
4.3.4 Maturity Period........................................................................................................43
4.4. Impact of adoption of improved maize varieties on production and livelihood.............44
4.5. Constraints faced by farmers in adoption of improved maize varieties..............................46
CHAPTER FIVE...........................................................................................................................49
5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION...........................................49
5.1 SUMMARY....................................................................................................................49
5.2 CONCLUSIONS.............................................................................................................52
5.3 RECOMMENDATION..................................................................................................55
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................56
APPENDIX..............................................................................................................................57

8
 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Nigeria„s domestic economy is partly determined by agriculture which accounted for

40.9% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2010 (CBN, 2011). Agriculture plays an

important role in the economies of developing countries in terms of food supply,

employment, income generation, and source of raw materials for industries (NAERLS,

2009). About 90% of Nigeria‟s population, particularly those living in rural areas, depend

on agriculture for their livelihood (NAERLS, 2009).

Basically it provides employment opportunities for the teeming population, eradicates

poverty and contributes to the growth of the economy. Despite these however, the sector

is thus characterized by low yields, low level of inputs and limited areas under cultivation

(Izuchukwu, 2011).

One of the overarching goals of Nigerian agriculture development programs and policies

is increasing agricultural productivity for accelerated economic growth (ref). Particularly,

majority of the poor in Sub-Saharan Africa depend on agriculture for survival thus,

agricultural sector has been recognized as a key fundamental for spurring growth,

overcoming poverty, and enhancing food security. Productivity increases in agriculture

can reduce poverty by increasing farmers‟ income, reducing food prices and thereby

enhancing increments in consumption (Diagne et al., 2009). Consistent with this

argument, the Department for International Development (DFID, 2004) estimated that a

1% increase in agricultural productivity reduces the percentage of poor people living on

9
less than 1 dollar a day by between 0.6 and 2%, and no any other economic activity

generates the same benefit for the poor. It is also of considerable significance that when

agricultural production increases through the use of improved varieties of crops in a

given area, farmers and their communities derive added socio-economic benefit. Such

activities can increase the value of locally produced crops, generate local employment,

stimulate local cash flow, and through processing, marketing, and related activities can

bring about improvement in socio-economic status and the quality of life (Mwabu et al.,

2006).

However, several research findings have pointed to the fact that the use of new

agricultural technology, such as high yielding varieties that kick-started the Green

Revolution in Asia, could lead to significant increase in agricultural productivity in

Africa and stimulate the transition from low productivity subsistence agriculture to a high

productivity agro-industrial economy (World Bank, 2008). According to Bamire (2007),

increasing the productivity of maize-based cropping systems has strategic importance for

food security and socio-economic stability of African countries and the sub-region. This

implies that agricultural productivity growth will not be possible without developing and

disseminating cost effective yield-increasing technologies, since it is no longer possible

to meet the needs of increasing numbers of people by expanding the area under

cultivation alone (Datt and Ravallion, 1996).

The most important prerequisite for good crop production is the availability of good

quality seeds of high yielding varieties, adapted to the growing area, and preferred by the

farmers. The quality of seeds alone is known to account for an increase in productivity of

10
at least 10–15% (Ajeigbe et al., 2008). To achieve this high quality, all the factors in

production that will affect viability and genetic purity should be taken into account.

The production techniques should be mastered and the environmental conditions (soil

fertility and climate) should be known (Ajeigbe et al., 2008).

Sustenance of high level agricultural production and incomes are not possible without the

effectiveness of agricultural research that is relevant to farmers needs coupled with

efficient and significant adoption of improved varieties by farmers (IITA, 1992).

Maize is a crop of great economic importance in Nigeria. Maize is a cereal crop grown

for food, feed and industrial uses and it is the second most common cereal food crop after

rice (Akande, 1994). Maize is widely cultivated throughout the world, and a greater

amount of maize is produced each year than any other grain. It is mostly grown in the

northern guinea savanna where, with sorghum, are two of the main cereal crops on 30 to

40% of the cultivated land area (Oyelade and Awanane, 2013). There are several

domestic markets for maize all over Nigeria and maize also filters into international

markets in the other West African Sub region such as Niger, Chad, Mali, Benin Republic

and some other countries (Iken and Amusa, 2004). The Food and Agricultural

Organization (FAO, 2007) reported that more than 50% of all Sub-Saharan African

(SSA) countries assign over 50% of their cereal area to maize. Maize is widely consumed

as a stable food by poor rural and urban households: providing carbohydrate, vitamins,

and relatively small amount of protein to human beings and livestock as well. Maize will

continue to play a large and important role in Nigeria‟s food production (USAID, 2010).

The total land planted to maize in Nigeria is above 2.5 million hectares with an estimated

yield of about 1.4 metric tonnes per hectare (Agbonika, 2013). Maize production in Kano

11
State rose to 5 million tons in 2010, as against the only 1.9 million tons in 2003 and has

an average maize grain yield of 4.6 ton/ha which shows remarkable increase in

productivity as against the national average yield of 3.825 ton/ha in 2012 (KNARDA,

2011).

Maize production in Nigeria was fully established and is integrated as important aspect of

farming system, and it remains a major determinant of the cropping pattern of the

predominantly peasant farmers, especially in the Northern Nigeria (Ahmed, 1996).

Nevertheless, it is grown everywhere both under irrigation and under rain-fed condition

in Nigeria, with over fifty million farmers growing it every year and over ninety million

people employed in its processing and usage (Onyibe, 2012).

Among all the several efforts geared towards increase in maize productivity, the

development and dissemination of improved maize varieties appear to be the most

remarkable. This is due to the fact that seed is the key input in agriculture and to a great

extent the yield and quality of the crop depend on the quality of the seed planted.

Furthermore, the attributes of the seed planted in terms of its genetic potential, purity and

germination, resistance to disease, its adaptation to local agro-ecological situation among

many others, set a limit to the gains in productivity to be attained from the use of

expensive inputs like fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide and management techniques

(Adekoya and Babaleye, 2009).

Additionally, the improved maize varieties enables farmers to plant several times within a

cropping season because of a relatively short growing period, the genetic potential of

these seeds also ensures bumper harvests, disease and pest resistance, and drought

12
 tolerance such that the improved varieties can compete favorably with weeds (Adekoya

and Babaleye, 2009).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The North-West zone of Nigeria is the leading producer of cereals (sorghum, millet,

maize), legumes (cowpea, groundnut) and vegetables (tomato, onion, pepper) (NARSP,

1997). However, despite the immense agricultural production potentials of this zone,

many production constraints still exist. The zone is characterized by rainfall variability,

especially late onset and early cessation of rains with intermittent drought spells, often

resulting in shorter growing season. This, in turn, leads to death of seedlings, low yields

or even crop failure (Ogungbile et al., 1999). Furthermore, as noted by Seck (2008) one

of the biggest constraints to the successive adoption of improved varieties is the

availability of seed. Meanwhile, access to seed is a necessary condition for improved

seed adoption (Dontsop-Nguezet et al, 2011) and the adoption of improved seed is an

important component of agricultural productivity, food security and sustainable economic

growth (Faltermeier and Abdulai, 2009).

Notable problems of maize, that limit production in Nigeria include, poor seed supply,

inefficient marketing system, and low investment in research, inappropriate decision on

how best to allocate resources (production inputs) and inadequate adoption of improved

technologies by farmers. Effort aimed at increasing maize output cannot be achieved

unless the current level of inputs utilization is scaled up. Farmers output needs to be

increased using existing inputs and technology. Despite human and material resources

devoted to agriculture, the productive efficiency of most crops, maize inclusive, still fall

under 60 percent (Fakayode et al., 2008).

13
However, despite all these efforts, several research findings revealed that rural farmers in

most cases find it difficult to obtain good quality seeds that are suitable to their local

conditions. Also, in the northern part of Nigeria local seed stocks are being consumed as

food and the stocks are not being replenished. In addition, commercial producers of

improved seed of good quality are not available in most rural areas and local business

people are reluctant to stock seed due to uncertainty in demand. This have had negative

effect of adoption in view of the fact that if a farmer does not have access to improved

varieties, adoption would be impossible and there would be no yield increase. For

instance, despite the release of nearly 1700 improved wheat varieties in developing

countries during the period 1988-2002, only a relatively small number has been adopted

on a substantial scale by farmers (Dixon et.al, 2006). Christensen and Cook (2003) also

discovered that despite a good history of development of varieties of millet, sorghum,

maize, rice and cowpea, most Malian farmers still retained their own seed or exchanged

with among farmers; while only a few used improved high yielding varieties. Longley

and Sperling (2002) discovered that intervention in seed security in most disaster

situations increasingly indicated that good quality seeds were made locally available in

many emergencies but, the problem was that some farmers often lacked access to the

quality seeds.

However, the adoption rate and subsequent impact of adoption on food security among

farmers, especially in sub-Saharan Africa have not been appreciable. This could be due to

the fact that the intended end users of the technologies are not adopting these

technologies as expected or because the technologies are not suited to their situations.

14
 Adoption decisions among farmers are influenced by a number of factors, some of which

are beyond the control of the farmers.

1.3 Research Questions

The following research questions are raised:

1. What are the socio-economic characteristics of maize farmers?

2. What is the rate of adoption of improved maize varieties by the farmers?

3. What are the factors influencing the adoption of improved maize varieties in the study

area?

4. What are the impact of adoption of improved maize varieties on production and level

of livelihood of farmers?

5. What are the constraints encountered by farmers in adoption of improved maize

varieties?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The broad objective will be to assess the impact on adoption of improved maize varieties on

farmers‟ livelihood in Sumaila Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria. The specific

objectives are to:

i. describe the socio-economic characteristics of the maize farmers;

ii. determine adoption rate of improved maize varieties by the farmers;

iii. determine factors influencing adoption of improved maize varieties for better

farming productivity;

iv. determine the impact of adoption of improved maize varieties on yield and

livelihood of the farmers,

15
 v. Identify the constraints encountered by the farmers in the adoption of improved

maize varieties.

1.5 Significance of the Study

The persistence of lack of access to certified improved maize seed can jeopardise the

efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production, and the dependence on import

would continue to expose the nation to international shocks such as the 2008 global food

crisis which led to a global doubling of prices of major staple food crops such as rice and

maize.

1.6 Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The study focused on the impact of adoption of improved maize varieties on farmers‟

livelihood in the study area.

The study centered on four major maize producing wards in Sumaila Local Government

Area of Kano State which are Sitti, Massu, Gani and Magami.

16
 CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Origin and History of Maize

Maize is the domesticated variant of teosinte, the two crop has dissimilar appearance,

maize having a single tall stalk with multiple leaves and teosinte being a short, bushy

plant (Bello et al., 2012). It is a direct domestication of a Mexican annual teosinte. It has

been derived from hybridization between small domesticated maize (a slightly changed

form of wild maize) and a teosinte of section luxuriantes, either Z. luxurian or

Z.diploperennis. After it underwent two or more domestication it has evolve from a

hybridization Z. diploperennis by tripsacum dactyloides. Maize was first cultivated in

what is now the United States at several sites in new Mexico and Arizona about 2100BC

(Roney, 2009). In 1992, research by the USDA Forest Service suggested that the rise in

maize cultivation 500 to 1000 years ago in what is now the southeastern United States

corresponded with a decline of freshwater mussels, which are sensitive to environmental

changes (Evan et al., 2005). Maize began to spread widely and rapidly. As it was

introduced to new cultures, new uses were developed and new varieties selected to better

serve in those preparations.

2.2 Economic Importance of Maize

Maize is an important food and feed crop in Nigeria and remains an important crop for

rural food security (Kudi et al., 2011). The production of the crop must be increased in

order to ensure food and income security through the development of improved maize

varieties and technologies. Maize or corn is a cereal crop that is grown widely throughout

the world in a range of agro ecological environments. More maize is produced annually

than any other grain.

17
The grains are rich in vitamins A, C and E, carbohydrates, and essential minerals, and

contain 9% protein. They are also rich in dietary fiber and calories which are a good

source of energy. It is an important source of carbohydrate, protein, iron, vitamin B, and

minerals. Green maize (fresh on the cob) is eaten parched, baked, roasted or boiled;

playing an important role in filling the hunger gap after the dry season (Tahirou et

al.2009) and serving as a staple diet for 200 million people (Iken et al,. 2002). Maize is a

staple food of great socioeconomic importance in developing countries and it has a wide

range of uses these include; baking, brewing industries and livestock feed. The

importance of maize cannot be overemphasized, with Nigeria producing 43% of maize

grown in West Africa. Maize is the most important staple food in Nigeria. All parts of the

crop can be used for food and non-food products. In industrialized countries, maize is

largely used as livestock feed and as a raw material for industrial products.

Maize can be used for varieties of things for human uses and animal feed. Maize as

cornmeal constitutes a staple food in many region of the world. Maize is a major source

of starch; it is also a major source of cooking oil (corn oil) and of maize gluten. The

starch can be hydrolyzed and enzymatically treated to produce syrups, particularly high

fructose corn syrup which can be used as sweetener and when fermented and distilled

produces grain alcohol. Maize is grown to feed for livestock as forage.

Some industrial uses of corn include filler for plastic, packing materials, insulating

materials, adhesives, chemicals, explosives, paint, paste, abrasives, dyes, insecticides,

pharmaceuticals, organic acids, solvents, rayon, antifreeze, soaps, and many more. Maize

is also used as the major study plant for many academic disciplines such as genetics,

18
 physiology, soil fertility and biochemistry. It is doubtful that any other plant has been

studied as extensively as has the maize plant.

2.3 Adoption of Improved Maize Technology

The way out of low Productivity of maize is the adoption of improved seeds with other

packages that go with the technology. Adoption process can be described as the mental

process an individual passes from first hearing about an innovation to final adoption.

Rogers (1995) identified five characteristics of agricultural innovations, which are

important in adoption studies. These include relative advantage, compatibility,

complexity, trialability and observability. Production and use of improved seed depends

on availability of the improved, high yielding and well adapted varieties (Muhammed et

al., 2002). This is important since quality seed is one of the primary requirement for

establishing food security to farmers and the nation at large (FAO, 2000).

Adoption of improved maize varieties among farmers in Nigeria would contribute

significantly to food security and lead to improved incomes and livelihoods for farmers in

Nigeria. Adoption and promotion of the improved maize varieties is also a promising

strategy to appreciably increase maize production and productivity and to revolutionize

agriculture in Nigeria.

2.4 Factors Influencing the Rate of Adoption of Improved Maize Varieties

There are constraints to adoption of improved varieties in rural farming communities

(Nweke et al., 2002). These constraints are access to information, access to credit,

illiteracy and cultural and numerous socio-economic factors. In some instances, farmers

reject some of the modern technology due to their cultural background and inhibiting due

to religious beliefs (Teklewold et al., 2002). Ebojie et al.(2012) in their study on socio-

19
economic factors influencing the adoption of Hybrid Maize in Giwa Local Government

Area of Kaduna state, Nigeria pointed out that age (P<0.013), income (p<0.034),

education (p<0.001) and extension visits (P<0.017) were the significant factors that

influenced farmers adoption of Hybrid Maize

Factors influencing the adoption of improved varieties of maize in the drought prone

areas can be categorized into two areas. First, human and physical resource endowments,

including gender, age, education, household size, farmland size and number of oxen

owned. Female headed households are often poor and their access to information and

innovations is limited, thus negatively influencing their adoption. Age is a proxy for

farmer experience in farming that can generate or erode a confidence to adopt improved

varieties. Household size accounts for household farm labour since an intensive

management is required for the optimum yield from improved variety. Education of the

household head is expected to influence a farmer‟s adoption decision since it boosts the

capacity of the farmer in acquiring, processing and utilizing information. Farmland and

livestock are key assets of a farm household. Within livestock, oxen provide extensive

draught power. Hence, a farm household‟s ownership of farmland and oxen is anticipated

to positively influence the likelihood of adoption of improved varieties of maize.

Second, extension visits, field day participation, the time taken to the nearest grain

market, membership in cooperatives and proximity to an Agricultural Research Centre

constitute the institutional factors influencing adoption of improved varieties of maize.

Extension visits are presumed to be a major means for farmers to access new and reliable

agricultural information and thus is expected to positively influence the adoption

decision. A farmer‟s participation on field days demonstration of improved varieties of

20
maize is a means to develop a confidence and reduce subjective uncertainty about the

variety and thus it is expected to positively influence the likelihood of adoption.

Distance to the nearest grain market is a proxy to market accessibility. Farmers residing

close to the nearest grain markets are assumed to have access to up-to date information

on the availability of agricultural inputs and outputs, including improved varieties, and

hence expected to adopt improved varieties of maize.

Lawal et al. (2004) examined the adoption and assessment of improved maize varieties

by farmers in Institute-of-Agricultural-Research-&Training-adopted villages in

Southwest Nigeria. The findings showed that adoption of improved maize seed was 56.7

percent. Empirical evidence reveals that age, household size, education and varietal

attributes were the most important factors that influenced the adoption of improved maize

seed.

According to Odoemenem and Obinne (2010), intensity of extension contact, amount and

use of credit, cooperative membership, all of which are institutional in nature, were found

to be most important factors influencing the adoption of improved cereal crop production

technologies in their paper on assessing the factors influencing the utilization of

improved cereal crop production technologies by small scale farmers in Nigeria. Studies

have also shown that people of different socio-economic class tend to have different

channel of communication through which innovations can be diffused, low level farmers

are likely to start much earlier than upper level farmers in the adoption of recommended

farm practices (Aiyedun, 2003).

21
2.5 Impact on Adoption of Improved Maize Varieties among Farmers
Adoption of improved varieties will tackle the worlds growing population food demands

problem. From improved seeds, to modern crop protection solutions, to mobile

technology for farmers in the fields, to making foods fresher, safer, and healthier along

the food chain, the agricultural and food system of the future can be more productive,

more sustainable, more efficient, and more interconnected. Greater investment in and

broader adoption of science and technology can enable the world to meet the growing

demand for food as the population increases by (a) improving the livelihoods of farmers

and their families by producing more and higher quality crops for a growing population;

(b) enhancing the nutritional value and safety of food to improve the health and wellbeing

of people around the world; and (c) contributing to agriculture sustainability through

reduced resource use.

2.6 Theoretical Framework: Technology Adoption

In agriculture adoption is very vital and over time technology adoption have moved

through phases; initially attempts were made by policy makers to explain the use and

diffusion of new agricultural technologies; trying to explain the impact of technology

adoption on commodity production, on poverty and malnutrition, on farm size and input

use, on genetic diversity, and on variety of social issues (Doss, 2004).

In defining adoption the first thing is to consider whether adoption is a discrete state with

binary variables that is, a farmer is either or not an “adopter” or whether adoption is a

continuous measure (Ochi and Malumfashi, 2005). Many studies use different approaches

to adoption (Imoh and Essien, 2005). A farmer maybe said to be an adopter if he were

using the technology that has been recycled for several generations from hybrid

ancestors, adoption can also be identifies when a farmer uses new certified technology

22
 (Ouma, 2002). Studies of agricultural technology adoption are used widely in four areas

of agricultural policy (Doss, 2004; Evenson and Gollin, 2003). These are: assessing the

impact of agricultural research, evaluating the distributional impacts of new technology,

priority setting for research, and Identifying and reducing constraints to adoption.

Literature on adoption is currently moving in three dimensions (Doss, 2004). These

include; innovative econometrics and modeling methodologies to understand adoption

decisions, micro level studies based on local data collection intended to shed light on

adoption decisions in particular context for policy purposes and examination of the

process of learning and social networks in adoption decisions. Most available literature

focus on new methodologies to deal with issues of endogeneity and simultaneity of

decisions (Ransom, 2003). Adoption of improved agricultural techniques remains a big

challenge to development of agriculture and this has to be addressed to increase

productivity and improve standard of living of farmers household.

2.7 Conceptual Framework: Impact of Adoption

Morgan (1985) suggested three areas that need to be examined in any social impact

assessment. These are socio-cultural feasibility, spread effects, and distributional impact.

Socio-cultural feasibility should ascertain that the assessment is based on an accurate

understanding of the social organization of productive activities, that is, it should find out

how the intended beneficiaries have access to, make use of, and exercise control over

natural and other productive resources available in the area.

Spread effects refer to the likelihood that the new technology introduced to the initial

target group will be diffused among others. Distributional impact is concerned with the

differential impact of technology, and the distribution of benefits/burdens upon different

23
categories of people, that is, it should find out who benefits from technology and in what

ways.

The framework used in this study is based on the technology diagnostic-diffusion

adoption- impact continuum. In particular, it permits the analysis of the socioeconomic

and demographic characteristics of the population, and helps to find out how the intended

beneficiaries have access to, use, and control the productive resources available in the

area.

The second component of the framework is the analysis of the technology diffusion and

adoption process. The technology diffusion process involves analysis beyond the current

adoption status and documents the history, trends, patterns, and prospects of technology

adoption. Adoption studies have been seen as an important tool for measuring and

assessing the impact of agricultural technologies (CIMMYT 1993; Feder and Umali

1993; Rogers 1995). Technology adoption brings potential impact at farm household

level. Analysis of the adoption process also permits investigation of the categories of

farmers that have benefited most from a particular technology. In this study, adoption is

defined as the current use and intensity of use of improved maize varieties and utilization

technologies. It is hypothesized to be a function of the socioeconomic characteristics of

farmers (gender, age, education, income, household size, labor availability, experience in

maize production, etc.), institutional and socio – structural factors (extension contact,

village location, access to market, social organizations), and farmers‟ assessment or

perceptions of the characteristics of maize varieties (yield, grain color and size, maturity

time, drought tolerant, resistance to striga, resistance to pests and insects, and

performance on poor soils).

24
Thirdly, Impact Assessment is concerned with impact analysis, which is, finding out how

far the introduction of an improved technology has been successful in meeting

socioeconomic objectives, and how well improved agricultural technologies have

satisfied the needs and priorities of households and other units in the target population.

Social impacts are changes that have occurred for an individual farmer at household or

farm level or in the community at large as a result of the adoption of maize. At the

household level, important impact indicators include farmer‟s income and income

distribution, intra - household gender relations, allocation and control of resources,

material welfare, human capital development, household food security, and nutritional

status. At the farm level, impact indicators include increasing outputs (yields), land-use

expansion and intensification practices, input use, crop substitution, and varietal

replacement. The impact of improved maize adoption can also be extended beyond the

farm household to the community. At the community level, it is hypothesized that the

adoption of soybean has had an effect on attitudes and values, labor, market development,

social equity, innovativeness, and the potential sustainability of maize production.

25
 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Description of the Study Area

The study was conducted in Sumaila Local Government Area of Kano State which is

located in the Northern part of Nigeria and lies on latitudes 11°32′ 0”N and longitude

8°58′ 0”E. The Local Government area has a land mass of about 1, 250 square km

(KNARDA, 2011). Based on NPC (2006), the Local Government has a projected

population of 253,661. The Local Government is considered to be agrarian as more than

55% of the working adults are engaged in farming and related activities as a means of

livelihood. The average annual rainfall is 700mm with the mean daily maximum and

minimum temperatures of 35oC and 19oC respectively. The major crops grown in the

study area include rice, maize, Sorghum, millet, cowpea, Soybeans, groundnut, Sweet

Potato and vegetables (KNARDA, 2011).

26
Fig. 1: Map of Kano State showing the study area

27
3.2 Sampling Procedure and Sample Size
A multi – stage sampling technique was used for the study. At the 1 st stage, purposive

sampling technique was used to select four (4) wards in the Local government area based

on the production size of their farms in the areas (Massu, Sitti, Gani and Magami). 2 nd

stage, random sampling technique was used to select 15 farmers available in each ward

respectively bringing the number of respondents to 60 selected for the study. Each

respondent was administered structured questionnaires in order to get the necessary data.

3.3 Method of Data Collection

Primary data used in this study were obtained through the use of the well-structured

questionnaire administered to household heads in the study area. The data collected

during the field survey were on the socio-economic characteristics such as age, gender,

household size, farm size, farming experience, income, access to credit, number of

extension contacts, level of education of household heads and income. Data on improved

maize varieties adopted and yield output was also collected and in order to determine the

impact on their livelihood.

3.4 Data Analysis

The data obtained from the improved variety adopters through the answered

questionnaire were analyzed statistically using statistical package for social sciences

(SPSS) version 21.0 into descriptive statistics, adoption index and inferential statistics

such as T - test using SAS.

3.4.1 Descriptive statistics

This includes frequency count and percentages and was used to achieve objectives (i, iii

& v)

28
3.4.2 Adoption Index
This was used to achieve objective (ii) of the study. It is based on expressing the number

of farmers adopting early maize variety technology as a percentage of the total number of

farmers under study (Floyd et al., 1999). It is expressed as:

∑ ……………………………………..1

Where:

= Adoption rate for improved maize variety

= Adoption of improved maize variety by ith farmers

= Number of maize farmers (60)

= 1, 2 …n

∑ = Summation

3.4.3 T – Test
This was used to achieve objective (iv). It is based on comparison of the means of

adopters and non - adopters of improve maize crop. The t-statistic is expressed as

follows:

………………………………..2

29
 X1 = Mean income/output of the farmers after adoption of improved maize variety.

X2 = Mean income/output of the farmers that before adoption improved maize variety.

S1= Standard deviation of the income/out of farmers after adoption of IMV.

S2 = Standard deviation of the income/output of farmers before adoption of IMV.

n1= Sample size of the farmers that adopted improved maize variety.

n2 = Sample size of the farmers that did not adopt improved maize variety.

3.5 Operational Definitions and Measurement of Variables

a. Age: This is the farmers years showing how old he is. The ability to learn fast and

decide on certain key issues and act favorably to certain information depends on the age

of the individual. Young people do understand faster than old people but older people

have better ways of perception and think deeply before acting. To know the age of the

respondent, the actual years the individual has lived as given by him/her. A priori

expectation is that age will be a significant factor in early maturing maize adoption.

b. Education: This refers to the acquisition of knowledge through formal means.

Educational attainment of a household head is considered to be a qualitative variable.

Individual’s level of education was measured by the number of years a respondent had

spent in formal education. The expected impact on adoption, income and food security is

positive.

c. Household size: The size of a family is an important factor in traditional agriculture

because it influences to a large extent the supply of labour for immediate farm

employment. This will be based on the number of people in a household. A priori

expectation is positive.

30
d. Farm size: This is the size of land owned and cultivated by the farmer. It will be given

as estimated total area of land in hectares owned and cultivated by a respondent. A priori

expectation is positive.

e. Farming experience: This refers to the number of years that a respondent has actively

involved in farming operation. This will be measured in years the respondent reported.

This is expected to positively influence adoption of early maize.

f. Membership of association: In this study, it was measured by the number of years the

respondent claimed to belong as at the time the study was conducted. A priori expectation

is positive.

g. Extension contact: This is the number of contact between extension officials and the

farmers. Visitation of extension agent gives the detail of how well informed farmers can

be on certain technology. This will be measured on the number of contacts and visits a

respondent reported to have had with the extension agents. A priori expectation is

positive.

31
 CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Socio-economic Characteristics of Respondent Farming Households

4.1.1 Socio-economic characteristics of respondents

This section examined the distribution of respondents by age, household size, education,

farming experience, extension contacts, sources of information, membership of

association, .

4.1.1 Age
Result in Table 4.1.1 revealed that majority (33.3%) of the maize farmers were between

the ages of 35-44 years, 30.0% were between 25-34 years while 20.0% were between 45-

54 years and 13.3% were between 55 years of age and above. Only 3.3% of the farmers

were 15-24 years of age while the minimum and maximum age of the maize farmers

range between 25–54 years with an average mean of 39.5 years. This result shows that

majority of the farming population were young and in the active age group implying that

the farmers can make positive contribution to agricultural production as well as serve as

agents of innovation transfer in farming activities. This result agree with that of Mbavai

(2013) and also Mignouna et al. (2013) which showed the farming population in the

study area and that of northern Nigeria generally is relatively young. Again in line with

these findings, Hamidu et al. (2006) reported that age factor in traditional agriculture

significantly influences productivity and increased rate of adoption, hence, these youths

are dynamic and willing to take such risk connected with adoption of new agricultural

technology.

32
Table 4.1.1 Ages distribution of farmers in Sumaila Local Government, Kano state in 2018.
Age (Years) Frequency Percent

15 – 24 2 3.3

25 – 34 18 30

35 – 44 20 33.3
45 – 54 12 20
55 and Above 8 13.3
Total 60 100

4.1.2 Educational Level

Trichopoulou, (2002) defined education as „the wealth of knowledge acquired by an

individual after studying particular subject matter or experiencing life lessons that

provide an understanding of a particular thing. The result in Table 4.1.2 revealed that the

highest respondents had 30%, followed by primary with 26.7%, tertiary level had 23.3%

while secondary level had the least with 20.0%. this implies that majority (70%) of the

respondent in the study area had one form of formal education or the other implying that

there is potential for increased maize production since education will enable farmers to

have access to information on new agricultural innovation which can be adopted to

enhance their productivity. This agrees with the findings of Sullumbe (2004) which states

that ―The level of formal education attained by an individual goes a long way in shaping

his personality, attitude to life and adoption of new and improved practice. According to

Abdullahi and Abdullahi (2011), western education facilitates the adoption of modern

technologies and improved farm practices. Notably, formal education is an essential tool

for the adoption of modern production technologies and effective communication system

that encourage increase in the productivity of any agricultural venture (Nwaru, 2004;

Albert and Okidhum, 2012; Nenna and Ugwumba, 2012).

33
Table 4.1.2: Educational levels of farmers in Sumaila Local Government, Kano State in 2018
Educational Level Frequency Percent

Primary 16 26.7
Secondary 12 20
Tertiary 14 23.3
Non Formal Education 18 30
Total 60 100

4.1.3 Cooperative Membership

The result in Table 4.1.3 shows the number of years spent as members of Cooperative.

About 70% of respondents did not participate in any Cooperative Association while 30%

participated as cooperatives members. The result indicate low membership of

cooperatives by a significant proportion of maize farmers in the area, which implies that

farmers had less access to resources and information that will improve their production

practices and highlighting them the importance of some social capital involve in

improving productivity.

Table 4.1.3: Farmers‟ cooperative membership in Sumaila Local Government, Kano state
in 2018
Response Frequency Percent

Yes 18 30
No 42 70
Total 60 100

34
4.1.4 Duration of Farming Experience
The distribution of maize farmers by their farming experience in Table 4.4 revealed that

13.3% of maize farmers had 1-5 years of maize farming experience, 30% had 6-10 years

and 23.3% had 11-15 years of farming experience, while 33.3% had farming experience

16 years and above. This result shows that majority of the farmers are experienced in

maize production. Farming experience plays a significant role in agricultural production.

It is expected that the higher the farmers‟ experience in farming, the better will be the

production capacity of the farmers. Farming experience determines farmers‟ ability to

make effective farm management decisions with respect to input combination or resource

allocation. Farming experience is an important factor determining both the productivity

and the production level in farming activities (Ajani, 2000).

Table 4.1.4: Years of farming experience by farmers in Sumaila Local Government, Kano state
in 2018
Years Frequency Percent

1 - 5 years 8 13.3
6 - 10 years 18 30.0
11 - 15 years 14 23.3
16 years and above 20 33.3
Total 60 100.0

35
4.1.5 Farm Size
The result in Table 4.1.5 revealed the availability of land or farm size devoted to maize, it

was noted that 10.0% had farm size of 0.25 hectares, 23.3% had 0.5 hectares and 20%

had 2 acres while 46.7% had above 1 hectare. Average farm size is 0.67 hectares. This

implies that farmers are predominantly small-scale farmers. Small farm size is an

impediment to agricultural mechanization because it is difficult to use farm machines on

small holdings and adoption of improved method of agronomic practices and pest

management techniques are easy. Ekong (2003) argued that most Nigerian farms are

small-size family farms in which family members contribute the required labour. This

implies that maize production in the study area was engaged by small-scale farmers. This

finding is in agreement with that of Ojo (2009), who classified farm-size owners of 0.1

hectare to 5.9 hectares as small scale farmers.

4.1.6 Land Acquisition method of ownership

Land is one of the key determinant / factor of agricultural production. The result in table

4.1.6 showed that Majority (66.7%) of the farmers in study areas respectively acquired

their land through inheritance, 30.0% farmers acquired land through purchase while only

3.3% farmers leased/rent land for production purpose. This shows that, inheritance is the

major source of land acquisition by grain legume farmers and this is in conformity with

findings of Kakwang (2011) and also that of Ogungbile et al. (1999) in their study in

Kano who found inheritance to be the major mode of land acquisition, though there were

increases in the rates of acquisition through purchase and rent.

36
Table 4.1.5: Farm Size of the farmers in Sumaila Local Government, Kano State in 2018

Farm Size Frequency Percent

1/4 Ha 6 10.0
1/2 Ha 14 23.3
2 Acres 12 20.0
1 Ha and Above 28 46.7
Total 60 100.0

Table 4.1.6 Method of land acquisition by the farmers in Sumaila Local Government, Kano
state in 2018

Methods Frequency Percent

Inheritance 40 66.7
Purchase 18 30.0
Lease 2 3.3
Total 60 100.0

37
4.2. RESPONSES TO LEVEL OF AWARENESS AND RATE OF ADOPTION OF
IMPROVED MAIZE VARIEITIES

4.2.1 Level of Awareness of improved maize varieties

The result in Table 4.2.1 showed that 100% of the respondents were aware of improved

maize varieties both the OPV and Hybrids (Commonly referred to as “Mai Aure”) by the

local farmers respectively. Considering the fact that diffusion of agricultural innovations

demonstrates that awareness of a technology is a necessary step in the adoption-decision

process. Farmers are aware that early planting and planting of hybrid maize are very

important practices that could enhance sustainability of maize. Farmers‟ adequate

awareness of the Improved Maize varieties must be ensured through a deliberate

information dissemination effort.

Table 4.2.1 Response to awareness of improved maize varieties by the farmers in Sumaila
Local Government, Kano state in 2018

Response Frequency Percent

Yes 60 100.0

4.2.2 Rate of adoption of improved maize varieties

The estimated adoption rate of the improved maize variety cultivated by farming

households in the study area is shown in table 4.2.2. The result showed that a larger

proportion of farming households adopted improved maize varieties with an adoption rate

of 83.3% which implies that majority of the maize farmers in the study area adopted the

use of improved maize varieties of both OPV and Hybrids. The proportion of farmers

using a technology is a social indicator of farmers‟ interest in the technology (Ndjuenga

et al., 2008) and therefore, the high adoption rate of both improved OPV and Hybrid is an

38
 indication of farmers‟ interest on it relative to other local maize varieties in the study

area.

Table 4.2.2 Rate of Adoption by the farmers in Sumaila Local Government, Kano state in
2018
Type of technology Maize Farmers = (n = 60)

Adopters/Non adopters Adoption Rate (%)

Local Varieties NA 10 16.67

Improved Varieties AD 50 83.33

4.2.3 Farmers’ sources of information of improved maize varieties in the study area
Farmers‟ sources of information on Improved Maize Varieties were identified and the

results are as presented in Table 4.2.3. The table presents a summary of the finding on the

sources of information. The greatest percentage (30%) mentioned agro – dealers as major

source of information, followed by agricultural extension agents (26.7%),

friends/relatives and Other sources were found to be at par with (16.7%) respectively,

extension bulletin had (6.7%) and radio (3.3%) of the respondents respectively. Based on

the evidences presented, it is concluded that farmers used or indicated a number of

authentic sources of information which they first obtained information about the maize

varieties. In effect the use of credible sources of information to create awareness about

improved maize varieties is desirable for adoption. Adoption research has found that,

acceptance of new ideas are associated with the use of a credible information source.

39
Table 4.2.3 Farmers‟ sources of information on IMV in Sumaila Local Government, Kano
state in 2018
Sources of information Frequency Percent Rank

Agro – dealers 18 30.0 1st

Agricultural Extension Agent 16 26.7 2nd

Others 10 16.7 3rd
Friends/Relatives 10 16.7 3rd
Extension Bulletin 4 6.7 5th
Radio 2 3.3 6th
Total 60 100.0 100.0

4.2.4 Farmers’ Extension Contacts

The main aim of extension services is to enhance farmers‟ ability to efficiently utilize

resources through the adoption of new and improved methods used in maize production

instead of using traditional methods which are inefficient, resulting to low yield. The

distribution of the sampled farmers based on numbers of extension visit is presented in

Table 4.2.4.

The result shows that (60.0%) of maize farmers in the study area had no access to

extension service while (40.0%) had access to extension service. This could be attributed

to low extension agent-farmers‟ ratio in the study area. Therefore, effective extension

visits and supervision will go a long way to improve maize farmers‟ productivity level

and adoption of new innovation.

Table 4.2.4 Farmers‟ contact with Extension Agents on Improved Maize Varieties in Sumaila
Local Government, Kano state in 2018

Response Frequency Percent

Yes 24 40.0
No 36 60.0
Total 60 100.0

40
4.2.5 Improved Maize Varieties adopted by farmers’
The results in Table 4.2.5 shows the distribution of farmers by choice of improved

varieties adopted by the respondents. The result shows that 60% of the respondents had

adopted Improved Open Pollinated Varieties (OPV) sold to them by agro – dealers which

outperformed their local varieties such as Sammaz 15, Sammaz 16 and Sammaz 27, 36

and 37 respectively. The least adopted improved varieties by the respondents were

Hybrids such as Sammaz 42, SC719 and Oba Super 9 which were tall and vigorous

varieties with high potential yield but required additional dose of fertilizer above the

recommended dosage. The higher adoption rates of Sammaz 15 and 16 mostly could be

because the variety has high yield, stay green ability and is an medium - maturing variety

that can be grown in drought prone areas. This variety may give a higher output of maize

due to its adaptability than some hybrids (NAERLS, 2009).

The reason for the high adoption rates of Sammaz 15 may be due to the findings that it is

highly tolerant to drought and exhibits good nitrogen uptake level. The variety matures in

100-120 days and it is OPV but literarily referred to Hybrid by farmers. (NAERLS,

2009).

Table 4.2.5 Distribution of Improved Maize Varieties adopted by farmers‟ in Sumaila Local

Government, Kano state in 2018

Improved Maize Varieties Frequency Percent

OPV ( Sammaz 15, 16, 27, 36 & 37) 36 60.0

Hybrids ( Sammaz 42, Ife Hyb 6, SC719 & Oba 24 40.0

Super 9)

Total 60 100.0

41
4.3. Factors influencing adoption of improved maize varieties
Major drivers of adoption of improved maize varieties in the study area were found to be

household size, educational level, extension contact, yield and maturity period as shown

in the results of Table 4.3.1

4.3.1 Yield
Yield ranked first position as the major factor influencing adoption of improved maize

variety as it had 32(53.3%) of the respondents in the study area. It plays a key role as

farmers are presumably after the yield as output of all the input put in by the farmers.

Farmers obtain information on the yield that a fellow farmer planted using probably the

same farm size and also inputs with an improved maize variety while others planted local

variety which results in obtaining higher yield which tends to draw more attention of

other farmers to purchasing of the same variety as farmers‟ saved type of seeds.

4.3.2 Extension Contact

The result in Table 4.3.1 revealed that extension contact ranked second as it had

12(20.0%) of the respondents. Ebojei et al. (2012) which also suggested that participation

in adoption of improved maize varieties such as OPV and hybrid maize could be

motivated by frequent contacts with extension agents. Extension agents popularize

innovation by making farms exchange idea, experiences, and make it cheaper to source

information, knowledge and skills in order to enable farmers to improve their livelihood.

Farmers who have frequent contacts with extension agents had a higher probability of

participation in the innovation. This was presumed; as farmers were privileged with

materials and managerial support, followed by cheap and timely availability of

knowledge and skills, which apparently helped them, apply new technology.

42
4.3.3 Educational Level and Household size
Education was positively related to maize farming households‟ adoption of

improved maize varieties with the level of awareness on profitability of improved maize

production but on a minimal basis with 2(3.3%) which ranked the 5 th as least factor that

influenced adoption although education enables one to access information needed to

make a decision to practice a new technology. While household size ranked 4 th with

4(6.7%) as the decision for adoption was influenced based on the availability of yield for

consumption. This is in agreement with (Kudi et al., 2011; Ambali et al., 2012) who in

their respective studies found that education is a significant factor in facilitating

awareness and adoption of agricultural technologies. This is consistent with literature that

education creates a favourable mental attitude for the acceptance of new practices

especially of information- intensive and management-intensive practices. The implication

of this is that farm households with well-educated members are more likely to adopt

modern agricultural production technologies than those without.

4.3.4 Maturity Period

Maturity period of the varieties as a criteria of choice for the respondents ranked 3 rd with

10(16.7%). The reason behind the selection was based on maturity as a result of short

raining season in the study area to cater for improvement in livelihood and also enhance

food security as it is a key factor considered by farming household. Maize technologies

based on maturity periods are; Extra-early, Early- intermediate and late maturing varieties

which were developed with yields up to twice as much as traditional varieties (Iken et al.,

2002). Early maturing varieties enabled maize production to expand into new areas,

especially to the Sudan savannas where the short rainy season had adversely affected

maize cultivation in the past.

43
Table 4.3.1 Distribution of factors influencing adoption of improved maize varieties by the
farmers in Sumaila Local Government, Kano state in 2018
Factors Frequency Percent Rank
Yield 32 53.3 1st
Extension contact 12 20.0 2nd
Maturity period 10 16.7 3rd
Household Size 4 6.7 4th

Educational Level 2 3.3 5th

Total 60 100.0 100.0

4.4. Impact of adoption of improved maize varieties on production and livelihood

The result of the T test as presented in table 4.4.1 shows a significant difference between

the income status of adopters and non - adopters. The mean annual income of the

respondents that after adoption of improved maize varieties (N 184,200) is higher than

the mean income of those before adoption of the varieties (N 54,750) which implies that

the after adopters of improved maize varieties realized higher income and yield than

those before adoption, and it is significant at 5% probability level. This implies that there

is significant different between the income of households who adopted improved maize

varieties and those that did not adopt. Therefore, the null hypothesis is rejected and the

alternative accepted. This suggests that early maize varieties contribute in enhancing the

income of the adopters of the varieties and therefore, non-adopters can increase their

income level through adoption of early maize varieties.

44
Table 4.4.1 Impact on before and after adoption of improved maize varieties

t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Unequal Variances

Non Adopters Adopters
Mean 54750 184200
Variance 63125000 978428571.4
Observations 10 50
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
Df 55
t Stat -25.44549648
P(T<=t) one-tail 2.10605E-32
t Critical one-tail 1.673033965

Table 4.4.2. Summary statistics on Impact of Technology adoption on farmers' income in Sumaila LGA
in 2018.
Adoption Income Variable Mean Std Dev Min Max CV(%) t-Value Pr > |t|
AD Cutlass & Hoe 4.86 0.92 4.00 7.00 18.96 52.75 <.0001
Knapsack 1.74 1.49 1.00 7.00 85.52 11.69 <.0001
Motorcycle 1.44 0.50 1.00 2.00 34.64 28.86 <.0001
Bicycle 1.94 0.79 1.00 3.00 40.67 24.59 <.0001
Radio 1.10 0.36 1.00 3.00 32.94 30.36 <.0001
Mobile 1.00 0.00 1.00 1.00 0.00 . .
Television 0.70 0.46 0.00 1.00 65.80 15.20 <.0001
Oxen 1.84 0.37 1.00 2.00 20.02 49.94 <.0001
Traction 0.92 0.27 0.00 1.00 29.64 33.74 <.0001
Tractor 0.26 0.44 0.00 1.00 169.56 5.90 <.0001
Thresher 0.44 0.50 0.00 1.00 113.38 8.82 <.0001
Generator 0.72 0.45 0.00 1.00 62.68 15.96 <.0001
Tricycle 0.12 0.33 0.00 1.00 272.17 3.67 0.0004
NA Cutlass & Hoe 6.20 1.62 4.00 8.00 26.12 12.11 <.0001
Knapsack 1.20 0.63 0.00 2.00 52.70 6.00 0.0002
Motorcycle 1.40 0.52 1.00 2.00 36.89 8.57 <.0001
Bicycle 1.70 0.67 1.00 3.00 39.70 7.96 <.0001
Radio 1.50 0.71 1.00 3.00 47.14 6.71 <.0001
Mobile 0.80 0.42 0.00 1.00 52.70 6.00 0.0002
Television 0.80 0.42 0.00 1.00 52.70 6.00 0.0002
Oxen 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 . . .
Traction 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 . . .
Tractor 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 . . .
Thresher 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 . . .
Generator 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 . . .
Tricycle 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 . . .

45
 The results in Table 4.4.2 revealed that adopters had 4.86 as the mean number of cutlass

and hoes as the rate of reliance on crude tools has drastically reduced while the non-

adopters had 6.20 due to self-reliance on crude tools. For knapsack, adopters had a

maximum of 7 pieces and a minimum of 4 pieces in order to facilitate chemical/insect

pest control operations while the non-adopters had a maximum of 2 knapsacks as they

deemed it absurd using CPP and unethical. Motorcycle and bicycle for both group of

farmers were at par for the minimum and maximum due to being the only means of

transportation in the study area and therefore of paramount importance for the farmers to

have at least one motorcycle and a bicycle. Radio and mobile phones are the only means

of information dispersal as both the adopters and non-adopters had a maximum of 3 units.

Therefore, information pertaining adoption and dissemination of innovative technology

can reach the farmers via radio transmission or mobile messages as done during the 2013

– 2014 GES Program. Mechanized farming tools and other livelihood enhancement assets

like oxen, animal traction, tractor, generator and tricycle were predominantly owned by

the adopters. These had improved their livelihood and make them better off such that

they even lease their implements for hired labour to enhance the level of productivity of

the non-adopters.

4.5. Constraints faced by farmers in adoption of improved maize varieties

The result on the distribution of respondents according to constraints faced in the

adoption of improved maize varieties according to their severity is shown on Table 4.5.1.

The result showed that unavailability of improved seeds in the study area ranked first

with 46.7% which implies that accessibility to seed was low due to lack of selling points

or agro –dealers in their communities leading to use of the local variety. High fertilizer

demand of IMV ranked second with 20.0%. This led to sharing of complementary inputs
46
intended for maize production among various crops for intervention income before the

main crops like maize which they considered to have very high fertilizer demands and

duration. High cost of improved seeds ranked as the third constraint with 16.7%, which

implies that a fraction of the respondents could not adopt the use of improved maize

variety as they compare the price per quantity of the packaged seeds to that of grain

(seeds sold at N400/kg will buy 3.5kg maize grain in the study area). The fourth

constraint 13.3% was for the respondents being unaware of seed classes. They could not

differentiate between a local and an improved variety due to paucity of required

innovative information and lack of extension contact. This, once again, points to the

inadequacy of extension services in the study area. This finding is in the same direction

with the observation of Fliegel (1993) that at times even when technologies are available

smallholder farmers have no access to them due to inadequate extension service delivery.

Small sizes of landholding rank the least with 3.3% discouraging adoption of improved

maize varieties. The insufficiency of arable land ownership and as a result of

fragmentation due to household size made it impossible to adopt and practice production

of improved seeds thereby leaving the farmers as small/subsistence farmers who produce

mainly for household consumption with low yielding varieties.

The implication of this finding is that the maize farmers in the study area are producing

under small/little profit resulting from unavailability of improved seeds, high fertilizer

demand of the crop leading to high costs of production inputs and small size landholding

resulting in production of low yielding local maize varieties on fragmented land. This

ultimately forced them to produce mainly for subsistence purpose to feed themselves and

their families. This finding is in conformity with Kudi et al. (2011).

47
4.5.1 Distribution of farmers according to constraints faced in adoption of IMV in Sumaila
Local Government, Kano state in 2018
Constraints Frequency Percent Rank

Unavailability of improved seeds in the 28 46.7 1st

vicinity
High fertilizer demanding of IMV 12 20.0 2nd

High cost of improved seeds 10 16.7 3rd

Unaware of seed types 8 13.3 4th

Small size of landholding discourage IMV 2 3.3 5th

farming
Total 60 100.0 100.0

48
 CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 SUMMARY
The study assessed the impact on adoption of improved maize varieties on farmers‟

livelihood in Sumaila Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria. Other specific

objectives are to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the maize farmers,

determine adoption rate of improved maize varieties by the farmers, determine the factors

influencing adoption of improved maize varieties for better farming productivity,

determine the impact on before and after adoption of improved maize varieties on yield

and livelihood of the farmers and to identify the constraints encountered by the farmers in

the adoption of improved maize varieties.

Primary data were used for this study and these data were collected with the aid of

structured questionnaire. A multi – stage sampling technique will be used for the study.

At the 1st stage, purposive sampling technique will be used to select four (4) wards in the

Local government area based on the production size of their farms in the areas (Massu,

Sitti, Gani and Magami). 2nd stage, random sampling technique will be used to select 15

farmers available in each ward respectively which will bring the number of respondents

to 60 selected for the study. Each respondent will be administered structured

questionnaires in order to get the necessary data. Descriptive statistics were employed to

analyze the data.

The results of the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers revealed that for age

distribution, (33.3%) of the maize farmers were between the ages of 35-44 years, 30.0%

were between 25-34 years while 20.0% were between 45-54 years and 13.3% were

between 55 years of age and above. only 3.3% of the farmers were 15-24 years of age
49
while the minimum and maximum age of the maize farmers range between 25–54 years

with an average mean of 39.5 years. For farming experience, 13.3% of maize farmers had

1-5 years of maize farming experience, 30% had 6-10 years and 23.3% had 11-15 years

of farming experience, while 33.3% had farming experience 16 years and above of

farming experience. For educational status, non-formal education had the highest

respondents with 30%, followed by primary with 26.7%, tertiary level had 23.3% while

secondary level had the least with 20.0%. For farm size, 10.0% had farm size of 0.25

hectares, 23.3% had 0.5 hectares and 20% had 2 acres while 46.7% had above 1 hectare.

For method of land acquisition, 66.7% of the farmers in the study areas respectively

acquired their land through inheritance, 30.0% farmers acquired land through purchase

while only 3.3% farmers leased/rented land for production purpose. For cooperative

membership, 70% of respondents did not participate in any Cooperative Association

while 30% participated as cooperatives members.

The constraints to adoption of improved maize varieties identified by the respondents, in

order of their severity with unavailability of improved in the study area ranked first with

28(46.7%), high fertilizer demand of IMV ranked second with 12(20.0%), then high cost

of improved seeds as the third constraint had 10(16.7%), being unaware of seed classes

8(13.3%) was the fourth and small size of landholding ranked the least with 2(3.3%) as a

means of discouragement for adoption of improved maize varieties.

The mean annual income of the adopters of improved maize varieties (N 184,200) is

higher than the mean income of the non - adopters (N 54,750) which implies that the after

adopters of improved maize varieties realized higher income and yield than those before

adoption, and it is significant at 5% probability level.

50
The result of the t-statistic clearly shows that the difference between the annual income of

the respondents after adoption of improved maize varieties and those who did not is

significant thereby implying that adoption of early maize varieties had an impact on the

income of the farming households that adopted the varieties. The results for impact on

livelihood indicated that

51
5.2 CONCLUSIONS
Agriculture plays an important role in the economies of developing countries in terms of

food supply, employment, income generation, and source of raw materials for industries

(NAERLS, 2009). About 90% of Nigeria‟s population, particularly those living in rural

areas, depend on agriculture for their livelihood (NAERLS, 2009).

The North-West zone of Nigeria is the leading producer of cereals (sorghum, millet,

maize), legumes (cowpea, groundnut) and vegetables (tomato, onion, pepper) (NARSP,

1997). However, despite the immense agricultural production potentials of this zone,

many production constraints still exist. The zone is characterized by rainfall variability,

especially late onset and early cessation of rains, often resulting in shorter growing

season. This, in turn, leads to death of seedlings, low yields or even crop failure

(Ogungbile et al., 1999). Notable problems of maize production In Nigeria include, poor

seed supply, inefficient marketing system, and low investment in research, inappropriate

decision on how best to allocate resources (production inputs) and inadequate adoption of

improved technologies by farmers are among the factors that have limited production.

Maize is an important food and feed crop in Nigeria and remains an important crop for

rural food security (Kudi et al., 2011). The production of the crop must be increased in

order to ensure food and income security through the development of improved maize

varieties and technologies. Maize or corn is a cereal crop that is grown widely throughout

the world in a range of agro ecological environments. More maize is produced annually

than any other grain.

The results for impact of adoption on livelihood revealed that adopters had 4.86 as the

mean number of cutlass and hoes as the rate of reliance on crude tools has drastically

52
reduced while the non-adopters had 6.20 due to self-reliance on crude tools. For

knapsack, adopters had a maximum of 7 pieces and a minimum of 4 pieces in order to

facilitate chemical/insect pest control operations while the non-adopters had a maximum

of 2 knapsacks as they deemed it absurd using CPP and unethical. Motorcycle and

bicycle for both group of farmers were at par for the minimum and maximum due to

being the only means of transportation in the study area and therefore of paramount

importance for the farmers to have at least one motorcycle and a bicycle. Radio and

mobile phones are the only means of information dispersal as both the adopters and non-

adopters had a maximum of 3 pieces. Therefore, information pertaining adoption and

dissemination of innovative technology can reach the farmers via radio transmission or

mobile messages as done during the 2013 – 2014 GES Program. Other livelihood

enhancement assets like oxen, animal traction, tractor, generator and tricycle were

predominantly owned by the adopters only which had improved their livelihood and

better off and leased their implements for hired labour to enhance the level of

productivity of the non-adopters.

The mean annual income of the adopters of improved maize varieties (N 184,200) is

higher than the mean income of the non - adopters (N 54,750) which implies that the after

adopters of improved maize varieties realized higher income and yield than those before

adoption, and it is significant at 5% probability level.

The adoption of improved maize varieties has contributed in increasing the income and

livelihood of maize farming households as well as enhancing the status of maize farming

households and this suggests that the adoption of improved maize varieties by maize

53
farming households was very instrumental in enhancing the income and wellbeing of the

maize farming households.

The adoption of improved maize varieties has contributed to the increased income, output

and livelihood status of farming households in the study area. It can also be concluded

that before adoption of the improved maize varieties, farmers had a lower output and low

level of living status than those after adoption and this implies that adoption of these

varieties has contributed in enhancing the level of livelihood and output among adopters.

The study concluded that the cultivation of improved maize varieties can be enhanced

through increased availability of improved crop varieties, proper channel of

disseminating innovative technology and use of on – farm demonstration trials in the

study area.

54
5.3 RECOMMENDATION
Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made:

1. Adoption of improved maize varieties can be enhanced through the increased

availability of improved maize varieties as some farmers are very much interested in

cultivating these varieties but do not have access to the seeds.

2. Adequate seed policy should be put in place to fast track seed multiplication and

distribution and on-farm trials through effective extension service delivery so as to

promote, intensify and sustain the adoption of improved maize varieties.

3. The government and other Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) should do their

part in creating awareness via radio and phone messages, facilitating the access and

mobilizing farmers to adopt the improved varieties so that farmers can improve their

agricultural productivity and then change their livelihood.

4. The government should encourage farmer associations which can play an important

role in the process of adoption. The farmer associations should also target the farmers‟

need and should provide them with the necessary information about the associations.

5. The government should also improve the output market environment at least by

constructing roads to markets where farmers can sell their products, so they will have the

incentive to adopt the new varieties and be more productive.

6. The adoption of improved maize varieties will be a panacea for food insecurity,

livelihood and veritable tool for increasing income of maize farming households through

sensitization of farmers on the benefits of cultivating improved maize varieties especially

farmers who are not yet aware of the existence of these varieties.

55
REFERENCES
Adekoya, A. E., & Babaleye, T. (2009). Consistency of technology adoption among farmers in

Northern Nigeria. Retrieved on 241h August 2009 from http://www.worldfood.

netiscientfiejoumall2009/issue3/pdfJagriculture/4S. pdf

Agbonika .D.A (2013). Information on Maize Technology among Rural Youth: A Solution for

Sustainable Agriculture in Nigeria. Proceedings of the Nigerian Society of Engineers

Internationl Engineering Conference, Exhibition and Annual General Meeting held at

Interanational Conference Centre, Abuja, Nigeria. 9th – 13th December, 2013.

Ahmed, B. (1996): Economic Analysis of Fertilizer used in Maize Production in the Northern

Guinea Savannah of Nigeria. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Agric.

Economics and Rural Sociology, Ahmad Bello University, Zaria: Nigeria.

Aiyedun, E. A. (2003). Determinant of Technology Adoption Decisions Among Farmers in The

Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Nigerian Journal of Economic and Social Studies

45(3)186-198.

Ajani, O. I. Y. (2000) Resource productivity in food farming in northern area of Oyo

State, Nigeria. Unpublished PhD thesis, Department of Agricultural Economics,

University of Ibadan.167.

Ajeigbe, H.A., Abdoulaye, T., Chikoye, D. (2009). Legume and cereal seed production for

improved crop yields in Nigeria. Proceedings of the Training Workshop on Production of

Legume and Cereal Seeds held on 24 January–10 February 2008 at IITA-Kano Station,

Kano, Nigeria. Sponsored by the Arab Bank for Economic Development and

Reconstruction, and organized by IITA and the National Program for Food Security. 108

56
Akande, S. O., (1994). Comparative Cost and Return in Maize Production in Nigeria. National

Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) Ibadan, Nigeria.

Ambali, O. I., Ologbon, O.A.C. and Akerele, E.O. (2012).Effect of agricultural technology on

income of cassava and maize Farmers in Egba division of Ogun state, Nigeria. Journal of

Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, 4: 23– 33.

Asfaw S, Shiferaw B, Simtowe F, Haile M. G. (2011). Agricultural technology adoption, seed

constrain and commercialization in Ethiopia. Journal of Development and

Agricultural Economics. 2011;3(9):436–447.

Bamire, A.S. (2007). Community Assessment Report for the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa

(DTMA) Project in the Dry Savanna of Nigeria: Unpublished Consultancy Assignment

for the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) Project. Department of Agricultural

Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Nigeria.

Bello, M., Daudu. S., Galadima, O. E., Anzaku, T. K. A. and Abubakar, A. A. (2012). Factors

Influencing Adoption of Crop-Based Technologies in Jenkwe Development Area of

Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Global Advanced Research Journal of Agricultural Science,

1(8): 250-256.

Christensen, P and Cook, A.D. (2003). Mali Seed Sector Development Plan. Initiative to End

Hunger in Africa: Agricultural Policy Development Progarm. PCE-1-00-9-00033-00

(order No.5). Prepared for United State Agency for International Development Mali

Mision. Department of State Washington D.C. 20521-2050.

Datt, G., and M. Ravallion (1996). How Important to India‟s Poor is the Sectoral composition of

Growth? World Bank Economic Review 10(1), 1-26.

57
DFID (2004a) Agriculture, Growth and Poverty Reduction.

Agriculture and Poverty Reduction Working Paper 1, DFID, London.

Available at http://dfid agriculture consultation.nri.org/process.htm

Diagne, A., S. A. Adekambi, F. P. Simtowe And G. Biaou, (2009) The Impact Of Agricultural

Technology Adoption On Poverty: The Case of Nerica Rice Varieties in Benin. A shorter

version of the paper is being presented as contributed paper at the 27 th Conference of the

International Association of Agricultural Economists. August 16-22, 2009. Beijing,

China

Dixon, J., L. Nalley, P. Kosina, R. La Rovere, J. Hellin, and P. Aquino, 2006. “Adoption and

Economic Impact of Improved Wheat Varieties in the Developing World”. Journal of

Agricultural Sciences, Vol. 144, pp. 289-502.

Dontsop-Nguezet, P.M, A. Diagne, V.O.Okoruwa and V.E.T. Ojehomon (2011). Impact of

Improved Rice Technology Adoption (NERICA varieties) on Income and Poverty

among Rice Farming Households in Nigeria: A Local Average Treatment Effect (LATE)

Approach. Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture 50(2011), no.3:267-291.

Doss, C. R., (2004). Analysing Technology Adoption: Challenges and Limitations of Micro-

studies, Yale Center for International and Asia Studies, Yale University.

Ebojei, C. O., Ayinde, T. B and Akogwu, G. O., (2012). Socio-economic factors influencing the

adoption of hybrid maize in Giwa local government area of Kaduna state, Nigeria.

Journal of Agricultural Science,7(1): 23 – 32.

58
Ekong E. E. (2003) Rural Sociology: An Introduction and Analysis of Rural Nigeria, Uyo: Dove

Educational Publication.

Evans, P., Wendell, R. H. and Melvin, L. W. Jnr., (2005). “Prehistoric Decline in Freshwater

Mussels Coincident with the Advent of Maize Agriculture”. Conservation Biology

19(2):547-552.

Evenson, R. E. and D. Gollin (2003). “Assessing the Impact of Green Revolution 1960 to 2000”

Science, 300:752-758.

Fakayode S.B, Babatunde R.O and Rasheed A (2008). Productivity Analysis of Cassava Based

Production System in the Guinea Savannah. A case study of Kwara State, Nigeria. Am. J.

Sci. Res., 3(1): 33-34.

Faltermeier, L., and Abdulai, A. (2009). “The Impact of Water Conservation and Intensification

Technologies: Empirical Evidence for Rice Farmers in Ghana.” Agricultural Economics

40: 365–379.

Food and Agriculture Organization FAO (2000). Food Security Report Paper. United Nation

Development Programme (UNDP) P.11-18.

Hamidu, B. M., Murtala, N., Illiyasu, A. Y. and Adamu, I. P. (2006). Assessment of the

Adoption of Afforestation Innovations in Dambatta Local Government Area of Kano

State. Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agricultural Extension. 9: 51 – 55.

Iken, J. E., & Amusa, N. A. (2004). Maize Research and Production in Nigeria. African Journal

of Biotechnology 3(6):302-307.

59
Iken, J. E., Amusa, N. A., Obatolu, V. O., (2002). Nutrient composition and weight evaluation of

some newly developed maize varieties in Nigeria. J. Food Tech. Africa (Kenya) 7:25-28.

Iken, J. E., Amusa, N. A., Obatolu, V. O., (2002). Nutrient composition and weight evaluation of

some newly developed maize varieties in Nigeria. J. Food Tech. Africa (Kenya) 7:25-28.

Imoh, A. N. and M. U. Essien, (2005). “Adoption of Improved Cassava Varieties among Small

scale Farmers in Ikot Ekpene Agricultural Zone of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria”;In

Orheruta, Nwokoro and Ajayi (eds), Agricultural Rebirth for Improved Production in

Nigeria, Proceedings of the 39th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Society of

Nigeria. Pp.1-4.

International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), 1992. Ibadan, Annual Report 5– 20.

Izuchukwu, O. (2011). Analysis of the Contribution of Agricultural Sector on the Nigerian

Economic Development. World Review of Business Research. 1(1): 191 – 200.

Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Agency (KNARDA) (2011). Kano State

Estimated Crops Production. Source: Monitoring and Evaluation Department.

Kudi, T. M. Bolaji, M. Akinola M. O. and Nasa‟I D. H. (2011). Analysis of adoption of

improved maize varieties among farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. International Journal

of Peace and Development Studies, 1(3): 8-12.

Lawal, B. O., Saka, J. O., Oyegbani, A., Akintayo, J. O., (2004). Adoption and Performance

Assessment of Improved Maize Varieties Among Smallholder Farmers in Southwest

Nigeria. J. Agric. Food Inf., 6(1): 35–47.

60
Longley, C. and L. Sperling, eds. (2002) Beyond Seeds & Tools: Effective Suppor to Farmers in

Emergencies. Special issue of Disasters 26 (4).

Mbavai J. J. (2013). An assessment of the effectiveness of the Sudan Savanna Taskforce project

in adoption and diffusion of improved cowpea varieties in selected communities in

Musawa Local Government Area of Katsina State. An M.Ed unpublished thesis

submitted to the Department of Adult Education and Community Services, Faculty of

Education, Bayero University Kano.

Mignouna BD, Abdoulaye T, Kamara A, Oluoch M (2013). Baseline study of smallholder

farmers in Striga-infested maize and cowpea growing areas of northern Nigeria.

International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria 60 pp.

Muhammad, L., K. Njoroge, C. Bett, W. Mwangi, H. Verkuil and H. De Groote. (2002). The

Seed Industry for Dryland Crops in Eastern Kenya. Mexico, D.F.: CIMMYT and Kenya

Agricultural Research Institute (KARI).

Muzari W, Gatsi W, Muvhunzi S. (2012). The impact of technology adoption on small holder

agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Sustainable Development.

2012;5(8);69–77.

Mwabu Germano; Wilfred Mwangi; and Hezron Nyangito (2006) “Does Adoption of Improved

Maize Varieties Reduce Poverty? Evidence from Kenya: Poster paper prepared for

presentation at the International Association of Agricultural Economists Conference,

Gold Coast, Australia, August 12-18, 2006.

61
National Agricultural Extension Research Liaison Services (NAERLS). (2009). Production of

Drought Tolerant Maize in Nigeria. An Extension Bulleting by Drought Tolerant Maize

for Africa Project (DTMA).

National Agricultural Research Strategy Plan (NARSP)(1997).Nigerian National Agricultural

Research Strategy Plan: 1996-2010.Bukar, S., Adamu, A and Bakshi,J.S.

(Eds.).Department of Agricultural Sciences, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural

Resources. Abuja. Nigeria. Ibadan, African Intec Printers

National Population Commission (NPC, 2006). Production year book, 2006 Census Result.

Ndjeunga, J., Ntare, B. R., Waliyar, F., Echekwu, C. A., Kodio, O., Kapran, I., Diallo, A. T.,

Amadou, A., Bissala, H. Y. and Da Sylva, A. (2008). Early adoption of modern

groundnut varieties in West Africa. Working Paper Series no. 24. Sahelian Center, BP

12404 Niamey, Niger: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics.

Pp. 62.

Nweke, F. I., Akorha, J. A. A., (1983). “Determinants of Adoption of New Technology Among

Small- holder and Implementation for Administration of Transfer Programmes.” A Case

Study of Rice Production of Plateau State of Nigeria. Agric. Adm., 12: 17–19.

Nweke, F. I., Dustan, S. O. and John, K. (2002). The Cassava Transformation. Africa‟s best kept

secret. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria. Pp. 188.

Ochi, J. E. and A. J. Malumfashi, (2005). “Adoption of Selected Technologies in Fadama

Farming in Bauchi State” In O. D. Ogisi, P.B. OKUNEYE and W. J. Oyaide, (eds)

62
 Economic Reforms and Management of Nigerian Agriculture. Proceedings of the 19th

Annual Conference of Farm Management Association of Nigeria. Pp. 190-197.

Odoemenem, I. U. and Obinne, C. P. O. (2010). Assessing the Factors Influencing the,

Utilization of Improved Cereal Crop Production Technologies by Small Scale Farmers in

Nigeria. Indian Journal of Science and Technology 3(1): 180 – 183.

Ogungbile ,A.O., Tabo,R. Duivenbooden, N.V. and Debrah,S.K. (1998). Analysis of Constraints

to Agricultural Production in the Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria using Multi-scale

Characterization. Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science, 46: 27-38.

Ojo, S. O. (2009). Factor Productivity in Maize Production in Ondo State Nigeria. Applied

Tropical Agriculture 15 (1):57-65.

Oyelade, O. A. and Anwanane N. B. (2013). Maize and Cowpea Production in Nigeria.

Advances in Agriculture, 3 (11) 1343 – 1358.

Prathyusha, C., Hemalatha, S. and Sharana B. (2013). Growth and Productivity of Speciality

Corn as influenced by different levels of Nitrogen under Pongamia Plantations.

International Journal of Applied Biology and Pharmaceutical Technology.Volume-4,

Issue-4.

Rogers, E. M. (1962). Diffusion of Innovations. MacMillan Company, USA.

Rogers, E. M. (1995). Diffusion of Innovations. 4th Edition New York: The Free Press.

Roney John, (2009). “The Beginning of Maize Agriculture”. Archaeology Southwest, 23(1):4,

winter 2009 (www//hppt//Wikipedia. 23rd January, 2013//2.56pm).

63
Singha AK, Baruah M.J. (2011). Farmers‟ adoption behavior in Rice technology: An analysis of

adoption behavior of farmers in Rice technology under different farming systems in

Assam. Journal of Human Ecology. 2011;35(3):167-172.

Sullumbe, I. M. (2004): Resources use efficiency in cotton production under sole cropping

system in Adamawa State of Nigeria. A Dissertation submitted to the school of Post

graduate studies Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Tahirou, A., Sanogo, D., Langyintuo, A., Bamire, A. and Olanrewaju, A.S. (2009).Assessing the

Constraints Affecting Production and Deployment of Maize Seed in DTMA Countries of

West Africa. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria.

Teklewold, A., Jayaramaiah, H. and Jagadeesh B. N. (2002). Correlation and path analysis of

phasio-marphological characters of sunflower (Heianthus annus L.) as related to breeding

method. Helia, 23:105.

United States Agency for International Development - MARKETS (2010). Package of Practices

for Maize Production.: http://www.nigerianmarkets.org

World Bank (2008). World Development Report. Agricultural for Development.

64
 APPENDIX

FEDERAL COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE TECHNOLOGY, KANO

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND MANAGEMENT.

FARMERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE

Introduction: this questionnaire is designed to solicit for responses on The Impact of Adoption
of Improved Maize Varieties on Farmers’ Livelihood in Sumaila, Kano State, Nigeria. Your
responses will be treated confidentially, as they are strictly required for academic research
purposes only. Therefore, feel free to answer the questions accurately.

Tick the box (√) or complete the spaces where necessary.

SECTION A: SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESPONDENTS

1. Name of farmer …………………………………………………………
2. Gender a. Male( ) b. Female ( )
3. Age a. 15 – 24yrs ( ) b. 25 – 34yrs ( ) c. 35 – 44yrs ( )
d. 45 – 54 ( ) e. 55 and above ( )
4. Marital Status a. Single ( ) b. Married ( ) c. Divorced ( ) d. Widow ( )
5. Educational status a. Primary ( ) b. Secondary ( ) c. Tertiary ( ) d. Quranic ( )
6. Do you belong to a cooperative society? a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )
7. How long have you been in maize production? a. 1 – 5yrs ( ) b. 6 – 10yrs ( )
c. 11 – 15yrs ( ) d. 16yrs and above ( )
8. What is the size of your farmland? a. ¼ ha ( ) b. 1/2ha ( )
c. 2 acres ( ) d. 1ha and above ( )
9. How did you acquire your farmland? a. Inheritance ( ) b. Purchase ( )
c. Lease ( ) d. Others (specify)………………………………………
B. RESPONSES TO RATE OF ADOPTION
10. Are you aware of improved maize varieties in your area?
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )
11. What type of maize seeds do you plant?
a. Local seeds ( ) b. Improved seeds ( )

65
12. What are your frequent sources of information about improved maize seed varieties?
a. Agricultural extension agent ( ) b. Extension bulletin ( ) c. Newspaper ( )
d. Radio ( ) e. Television ( ) f. Demonstration/Field day ( )
g. Friends/relatives ( ) h. Agro-dealers ( )
13. Were you visited by any extension worker for innovation program? Yes ( ) No ( ) If yes
14. How many times were you visited?
a. None at all ( ) b. Once in a year ( ) c. On quarterly ( )
15. Do you have any seed company, selling point, centre/agency accessible to you?
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )
16. What improved maize varieties have you purchased
a. OPV [SMZ, 15, 27, 17, 36, 37] ( )
b. Hybrids [SMZ 42, IF^6, SC719, Oba Super 6] ( )
SECTION C: FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF IMPROVED MAIZE
VARIEITIES
17. Which of the following factors makes you adopt improved maize varieties?
a. Age ( ) b. Household Size ( ) c. Educational Level ( )
d. Extension Contact ( ) f. Access to seed dealers ( ) g. Yield ( )
h. Maturity ( ) i. Marketability ( )
18. Comparison of the improved varieties with other seeds used by you
a Improved seeds has high tolerant to diseases and pests attack than traditional (yes) (no)
b. Improved seeds has high yield than traditional (yes) (no)
c. Improved seeds has higher market price than traditional (yes) (no)
SECTION D: IMPACTS OF ADOPTION OF IMPROVED MAIZE VARIETIES
Impact on maize Production:
19. Did you observe any increase in yield of maize? Yes ( ) No ( )
If yes, please indicate the quantity of yield _100kg bag, and by what percentage
increase %

20. Have you been able to increase your scale of production?

a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )
21. Were you able to improve from using crude tools to semi – automatic implements e.g oxen
plough? a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )

66
22. Were you able to purchase farm land from the adoption of improved maize varieties?
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )
Impact of adoption of Improved Maize Varieties on farmers’ livelihood:
23. At present, how much/ many of the following does your household owned as a result of
adoption of IMV that are usable/repairable? (: for value per unit, ask for the current value of the
asset)
Before Adoption After adoption
Asset Qty/No. Value/Unit Asset Qty/No. Value/Unit
Donkey House
(residence)
Stores Oxen
Cutlasses & Hoes Animal traction
plow
Knapsack sprayer Tractor
Oxen Cart Trailer
Motorcycle Ploughs for
tractor
Bicycle Harrow/tiller
Wheelbarrow Ridger/Planter
Chaff cutter Car
Radio Boom sprayer
TV Truck
Mobile phone Thresher
Pestle and motar Generator
Water tank Tricycle
Water pump Grinder
Kane crusher Cattle dip
24. Has there been any change in your livelihood as result of your improved maize production?
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )
25. If yes, in what form?
a. more assets ( ) b. more income ( ) c. more output ( )
d. more business ( ) e. education to my children ( )

67
SECTION E: CONSTRAINTS IN USE/ ADOPTION OF IMPROVED MAIZE
VARIETIES
26.Indicate the most serious constraints you are facing in adoption of maize varieties production
(i) Small size of landholding discourage IMV farming ( ) b. Unavailability of Improved seeds in
the vicinity ( ) c. High cost of improved seeds ( ) d. High fertilizer demanding of improved maize
varieties ( ) e. Unaware of seed types ( ) f. High cost of labour ( )
27.In your own opinion how best do you think these problems could be tackled?

Thank you!

68