Abstract

Parasitic weed called Striga hemonthica has been found to be a serious problem in Ushongo Local Government Area. It was in the light of this that farmer-led approach was employed to create awareness to farmers on the available improved technology in Striga control. A demonstration plot was designed whereStriga resistant maize variety (SAMMAZ 11) was grown. One hundred and twenty farmers participated in the programme from three villages were used for the study during the introduction of the SAMMAZ 11 variety to the villages. A total of 75 farmers were randomly selected out of the 120 participants. 75 non participant farmers were also randomly selected for the study, making a total of 150 respondents that were used for the study. Primary data were collected and analysed using descriptive statistics and logit regression model. The logit regression result shows that years of education, access to credit, access to improved planting material and number of extension contact had significant and positive effects on farmers’ participation. The study further revealed that household size, membership of cooperatives and years of experience were all positively related to participation in the production of Striga resistant maize variety, though they were not significant. Based on the findings, it was recommended that both state and local governments should employ more extension agents to ensure more effective extension information dissemination and delivery. Also, farmers should be encouraged to organise a revolving loan scheme among themselves to aid them in the purchase of inputs for production.

Key words: Farmers, Striga, maize variety, production, Benue State.