FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ADOPTION OF IMPROVED MAIZE FARMING TECHNOLOGIES IN YENDI MUNICIPALITY, NORTHERN REGION

Abstract

Low technology adoption remains a challenge to maize production in Ghana, including Yendi Municipality, which is one of the popular maize growing areas of Northern Region of Ghana. The study examined factors influencing the adoption of improved maize farming technologies in Yendi Municipality. Data was collected from 154 randomly selected farmers in the Municipality using questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and in depth interviews were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, Poisson regression model and Kendall‟s coefficient of concordance were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data was analysed based on themes and relationships. The study revealed that, the levels of adoption of improved maize farming technologies in the area were generally low. However, few of the technologies such as line spacing, seed per hole, as well as early harvesting recorded high adoption levels. The study also revealed that about 59% of the maize farmers had no contact with agricultural extension agents, which can negatively affect adoption of improved maize farming technologies. The Poisson regression analysis showed that education, farm size, credit access and extension contact significantly influenced the adoption of improved maize farming technologies in the area. The cost of the technology, complex nature of the technology, lack of skills to adopt the technology, risk and uncertainty of the technology and lack of productive resources were identified as challenges inhibiting the adoption of improved maize farming technologies in the area. The study recommends that Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other development partners should intensify training on the technologies to enable farmers understand their full benefits before they can fully adopt them.