Impact of Institutional Factors on Adoption of New Practices on Maize Production Among Farmers in Plateau State, Nigeria

The research work is on impact of institutional factors on adoption of new practices for maize production among farmers in Plateau State, Nigeria. The study has two specific objectives, two research questions and two null hypotheses. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study was 154 registered maize farmers in Mangu Local Government Areas. All the 154 registered maize farmers were used as sample. Structured questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection.  Face to face method of delivery was used to distribute the instrument with the help of two research assistants. 154 copies of questionnaire were distributed but only 126 copies were duly completed and returned. Frequency and percentages were used to answer research question 1 while mean score and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions 2. Multiple regression statistics was used to test the null hypotheses at significant level of 0.05. It was found that quarterly extension contact, 3 farmers’ cooperative/organizations, partial access to credit/loan and subsidized inputs and radio/television station as source of information were the main institutional factors that influence adoption of improved maize production practices by farmers and the influence is statistically significant (.000). The level of farmers’ adoption improved use of seeds, land preparation, planting, seed dressing, fertilizer application, herbicides, manual weeding and harvesting is high. Federal government as well as NGOs should intensify institutional factors such as extension contact, credit/loan, farm input, radio/television to influence adoption of improved maize production practices by farmers in Plateau state, Nigeria.