CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Maize is one of the most important cereal crops in the world, in agricultural economy both as food for human beings, feed for animals and other industrial raw materials. It is one of the world’s leading crops cultivated over an area of about 142 million hectares with a production of 637 million tons of grain. In Nepal, the current area planted under maize was 849,892 ha with an average yield of 2.02 t ha (CBS, 2006). It is estimated that for the next two decades the overall demand of maize will be increased by 4% ∼8% per annum resulting from the increased demand for food. Such increase in demand must be met by increasing the productivity of maize per unit of land (Paudyal et al., 2001; Pingali, 2001). However, over the decades, the agricultural production including maize has either remained stagnant or increased at a very slow rate (Kaini, 2004).

Maize is the staple food in Zambia and most small-scale farming households are engaged in maize production. Fertilizer is used predominantly on maize and agricultural marketing is dominated by maize sales among smallholders (Govereh et al., 2003).Improving maize productivity has been a major goal of the Zambian government. Over 80% of smallholder farmers nationwide own less than 5 hectares of land. Zambian government agricultural policy has for the past several decades focused on fertilizer subsidies and targeted credit programs to stimulate small farmers’ agricultural productivity, enhance food security and ultimately reduce poverty.

Agriculture in Nigeria as in most other developing countries is dominated by small scale farm producers (Oladeebo, 2004). Education of farmers, farm size, extension agent contact, farm income, ability to predict rainfall, modern communication facilities, output of maize and mixed cropping combination with maize have positive influence on maize production. Mpuga (2004) conducted a research study in Uganda to investigate the factors which affect demand for agricultural credit. The findings of the study reveal that the demand for agricultural credit is strongly and significantly affected by the age, location, education

1

level, value of the assets held by the household, occupation, and other dwelling characteristics. On the other hand, the availability of the sources of credit has limited effect on the demand for credit.

Olwande et al., (2009) in Kenya also confirm that age, education, credit, presence of a cash crop, distance to fertilizer market and agro ecological potential significantly influenced maize production by smallholder farmers. Wanyama et al., (2009) in Kenya showed that change agent (extension) visit to farmers, proportion of land under maize production, sex of household head, and agricultural training significantly affected likelihood of farmers adopting new technologies in maize production. Maize is the main staple in the diet of over 85 per cent of the population in Kenya. The per capita consumption ranges between 98 to 100 kilograms which translates to at least 2700 thousand metric tonnes, per year (Nyoro et al., 2004). Small scale production accounts for about 70 per cent of the overall production. The remaining 30 per cent of the output is from large scale commercial producers (Export Processing Zone Authority, 2005). Small scale producers mainly grow the crop for subsistence, retaining up to about 58 per cent of their total output for household consumption (Mbithi, 2000). Poor weather is blamed for the low output of maize in some years. However, yields have also remained at an average of 2 tonnes per hectare below the possible 6 tonnes per hectare a situation attributed to inadequate absorption of modern production technologies such as high yielding maize varieties and fertilizers because of high input costs, lack of access to credit and inadequate extension services to small scale producers (Kang’ethe, 2004).

1. 1. This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research work
2. 2. As a source for additional understanding of the subject.
3. 3. As a source for ideas for your own research work (if properly referenced).
4. 4. For PROPER paraphrasing (see your university definition of plagiarism and acceptable paraphrase)
5. 5. Direct citing (if referenced properly)
Thank you so much for your respect to the authors copyright.