ABSTRACT

The study investigated the adoption of TZSR maize variety in Ohafia Agricultural Zone, Abia State. The major objective was to ascertain the adoption of maize streak virus resistant variety by farmers in the study area. The specific objectives are (a) to identify the socio - economic factors of maize farmers (b) determine the adoption level of the maize streak virus resistant variety (c) determine the inherent characteristics in the maize variety (d) identify the channels for disseminating information and (e) identify the problems encountered in the process of adopting the maize streak virus resistant variety by farmers. One hundred and forty four farmers were randomly selected from circles that comprised the blocks in the zone were interviewed. Primary and Secondary data were used in the study. Primary data were collected by means of structured questionnaire from farmers, while secondary data were collected from Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) offices, resident extension agents in the circles, journals, and other periodicals. The results revealed that respondent's average age was 45.5 years. However, 79.89% had formal education, 36.81% were male while 63.19% were female, average household size was 8, and 65.67% were members of cooperative societies. The results further showed that 52.08% were high adopters, 12.5% medium adopters and 29.17% low adopters. The major reasons for adopting were that the variety was less subject to disease attack, high yield and consequently high income. The correlation and regression analysis revealed that adoption level of the maize variety increased with the educational level, farm size, membership of cooperatives and farm income. The problems associated with the adoption of the maize variety include inadequate information 9.03%, high cost of fertilizer 43.06%, lack of incentive 13.19%, storage losses 19.44%, land tenure problem 10.44% and non availability of the improved maize grain 10.42%. On the bases of these findings, it was recommended that extension! farmer contacts should be improved by employing more extension agents, the price of fertilizer should be further subsidized so as to be affordable to most farmers, a more deliberate efforts should be made in the multiplication and distribution of the maize streak virus resistant variety grains to farmers. Finally, a more workable and scientific storage system should be taught to farmers to reduce storage waste and invariably encourage large-scale production of maize