DETERMINANTS OF ADOPTION OF IMPROVED MAIZE VARIETIES IN ZABZUGU TATALE AREA IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA: A CASE STUDY OF OBATANPA

Abstract

Farmers in the Zabzugu/Tatale experience low yield of maize due to lack of adoption of improved maize varieties, a situation that threatens food security. The study aimed at investigating the factors that influence farmers’ adoption decisions of improved maize varieties in Zabzugu/Tatale area in the Northern Region of Ghana: a case study of Obatanpa. The analysis involved a cross-sectional survey with 240 randomly sampled household heads growing maize. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the results. Extension effectiveness indicators ranked in 3-point likert scale (Very Effective, Effective, and Not Effective) were used to assess maize farmers’ perception of effectiveness of extension delivery. It was established that there was high level (58.8%) of adoption of Obatanpa in the study area. Results of the logistic regression analysis shows that sex, household size, membership of FBOs, farm size, farmers’ awareness of Obatanpa, access to credit and access to extension service had positive and significant relationship with adoption of Obatanpa. Only age, however, had inverse and significant relationship with adoption of Obatanpa. From the results of Extension Effectiveness Indicators, creation of awareness of agriculture extension agents, visiting farmers, organizing field meetings with farmers, and embarking on supervision by extension agents in the field were perceived by maize farmers as being effective and very effective. The study recommended that MoFA should mandate the formation of FBOs so that extension service expenditure could be minimized and farmers’ access to extension could be eased; MoFA, in collaboration with development partners, should establish and maintain an efficient seed distribution system in the study area to ensure timely availability of certified seeds at a subsidized price. The government need to facilitate farmers’ access to credit facilities at low or no interest to maize farmers. Methods of extension delivery regarded effective should be used to deliver extension messages.