Abstract

This paper examined the adoption and impact of early maturing maize varieties on farmers’ income in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria. Using random sampling techniques, 300 maize farmers were selected across 10 communities in the Local Government. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, adoption index, double difference method and Z-statistics to estimate impact of early maturing maize varieties on income of farmers. The study divided the respondents into 137 adopters and 163 non adopters. The major findings showed that  88% of respondents were male headed, average age of household head was 44 years, average household size was 11 persons, dependency ratio was 1.49, level of education was Islamic education, average years of schooling was 5 years and average years of farming was 25 years. About 65% of farmers had access to extension agent, only about 10% had access to credit and labor force was mostly family labor. Result from the study showed that out of 300 maize farmers sampled, 137 farming household adopted the varieties with a general adoption rate of 45.67%. The mean difference analysis of the impact on adoption of early maturing maize varieties on income status between adopters and non-adopters of early maturing maize varieties shows that there is a positive mean income of N 42,689. The result of the T-test showed that there was significant difference at 1% level of significance between adopters and non-adopters in relation to income level. Policy which provides adequately trained and equipped extension workers to disseminate improved agricultural technology has the potential to raise farmers’ income.

Key words: Adoption, impact, farmers, income.