Determinants of Crop Production Intensification among Maize-Based Farming Households in Southern-Guinea Savanna of Nigeria.

Abstract

Maize is Nigeria’s main staple crop and is therefore of major concern in agricultural policy and the overall development of both the agricultural sector and the economy. Available evidence shows that the Nigerian farming households practice low-externalinput agriculture, rather than increasing the productivity of their arable lands through crop production intensification. Concerns are raised over the long-term sustainability of the agriculture systems in Nigeria in addition to the frequent food insecurity situations. Thus, this study analyzed crop production intensification and its determinants among maize-based farming households in southern-guinea savanna of Nigeria. A total of twohundred and fifty two maize-based farming households were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using crop intensification index nd tobit regression model. Analysis revealed that farming households can be grouped into high and low intensity farming households. The high intensity households have higher crop intensity scores than those of low intensity households. The estimated tobit
regression model revealed that age of the household head, farm size, household size, extension contact and market distance are the significant variables affecting crop production intensification of farming households in the zone. For sustainability of maize-based crop production in the area, there is the need for a policy option that addresses the provision of qualitative extension education and farming households’ access to the market in the study area.