Factors Influencing the Use of Improved Maize Seed and Participation in the Seed Demonstration Program by Smallholder Farmers in Kwali Area Council Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

This study identified the factors influencing the use of improved maize seeds by the smallholder maize farmers and their participation in the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) seed demonstration program (SDP) in the Kwali area. A multistage sample strategy was utilized to obtain 250 cross-sectional data from nine wards (rural settlements) in the study area. The data was analyzed using linear and logistic regression models. The estimation results from the linear model revealed that total farm size and participation in NASC Seed demonstration program significantly influenced the likelihood of smallholder farmers using improved maize seeds in the study area. The logit model indicates that household income and well-being influenced the likelihood of smallholder farmers’ participation in the NASC seed demonstration program. Therefore, the study recommended that the federal government and policymakers should formulate and implement policies and interventions to encourage the use of improved maize seeds in Nigeria.