Analysis of Agro-Chemical Inputs Use in Maize Production among Small-Scale Farmers in Iwo Local Government, Osun State, Nigeria

Subject Areas : Environmental policy and management

Kemi Funmilayo Omotesho ¹ , Azeez Muhammad-Lawal ² , Gafar Olawumi Iyiowu ³

1 - Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ilorin, Ilorin
2 - Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, University of Ilorin, Ilorin
3 - Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, University of Ilorin, Ilorin

Received: 2014-07-19 Accepted : 2015-05-25 Published : 2016-03-01

Keywords: Maize, Linear regression, Agro-chemicals, Iwo Local Government Area, Pearson moment correlation,

Abstract :

In spite of the development of various improved cultivars of maize, yield in Nigeria has continued to be hampered by the over cropped nature of most farmlands as well as a wide range of pests and diseases. This study therefore carried out an analysis of agro-chemical inputs’ use in maize production among small scale farmers in Iwo Local Government Area of Osun State. Specifically, the study investigated the relationship between agro-chemical inputs’ use and maize yield in the study area. It determined the factors affecting agro-chemical inputs’ use and the major constraints to its usage. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire from 105 respondents obtained through a two stage random sampling procedure. Analytical tools employed for the study included Pearson Moment correlation and linear regression analysis. The study revealed a 78.5% positive and significant relationship between agro-chemical inputs’ use and maize yield (p< 0.01). High cost and irregularity of supplies, insufficient farm income and fear of health hazards were the major constraints to the use of agro-chemicals. The determinants of agro-chemical inputs’ use among the farmers were; farm size, income at p

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