Adoption of improved maize seeds by small holder farmers in eastern division Ntungamo Municipality, western Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine adoption of improved maize seeds by smallholder farmers in Ntungamo district and the specific objectives were to assess smallholder farmers’ awareness and knowledge on improved maize seeds, to assess smallholder farmers’ attitude towards improved maize seed and to estimate the household percentage adoption rate of improved maize seeds. The study used a survey research design and data was collected from 60 farmers in Ntungamo district who were selected using simple random sampling technique. The findings of the study revealed that farmers are aware and they have knowledge about improved maize seeds as they confessed that they have ever heard of improved maize seeds and they reported that they know improved maize seeds and plant improved maize seeds. It was also found out that many farmers are still planting non improved maize seeds and the adoption rate of improved maize seeds is increasing though majority of the respondents revealed that they do not get assistance about maize production especially for improved maize seeds. The findings of the study revealed that farmers have a positive attitude towards improved maize seeds basing from an average index of 3.31 that gives the acceptance rate of 66%. It was also revealed that improved maize seeds need a lot attention during growth, improved maize seeds are not resistant to pests and diseases and that improved maize seeds can be grown in any type of soil. Furthermore, the findings of the study revealed that most of the farmers are still growing non improved maize seeds though the percentage rate of adopting improved maize seeds has increased to 63%. The study recommended that farmers should be given special assistance in form of extension services and trainings about improved maize seeds from skilled personnel, more emphasis should be put on producing improved maize seeds that are resistant to pests and diseases and that can be grown on any kind of soil and that the government should sensitize the public more about the advantages of improved maize seeds to increase the adoption rate to the fullest extent.