Original Research Article
Effect of farmers’ access to extension and agro-input services on maize production in Nigeria
Amusat, A. S. |
Oladeji, J. O. |
Article Number: DRJA39106284
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26765/DRJAFS.2018.6284
ISSN: 2354-4147
Vol.6 (3), pp. 55-61, March 2018
Copyright © 2018
Author(s) retain the copyright of this article
Abstract
The study was carried out to determine effects of farmers‘ access to extension and agro-input services on maize production in Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling was used to select 198 maize farmers from three agricultural zones (Northwest, North central and Southwest) purposively based on their high maize production. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive (frequency counts, percentages and mean) and inferential (Pearson Product Moment Correlation) statistics at p=0.05. Result shows that farmers age was 44.8±7.23 years, majority (78.5%) were male, married (93.9%), with average annual income of ₦332,795.46±25,190.51. All the farmers have access to extension and agro-input services in the study area and dissemination of information on current farm operations (1.72±0.08) was ranked first on access to extension while technical advice on the use of agrochemicals (1.65 ±0.94) was ranked first on access to agro-input service. The average maize yield recorded by farmers was 2080±1374.3 kg/ha. There were significant relationships between access to extension service (r=0.291), access to agro-input service (r=0.200) and maize yield. There should be enhanced access by maize farmers to agricultural extension and agro-input services in Nigeria in order to improve maize production in the country.
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Received: January 30, 2018 Accepted: March 1, 2018 Published: March 7, 2018