ASSESSMENT OF SUBSIDY EFFECT ON MAIZE PRODUCTION AMONG SMALL SCALE FARMERS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed the effect of subsidy on maize production among small scale maize farmers in Ekiti State. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 160 maize farmers. Data were collected during 2025 planting season. Descriptive statistics (D/S), Multivariate Multiple Regression (MMR) Model and Likert Scale Rating (LSR) were used for Data analysis. The socioeconomic result suggests that subsidy beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers were 34years and 36years by age, 75% and 72.5% by sex, 65% and 67.5% by married category, and 7years and 6years and 6years respectively. Based on the available result, farmers enjoyed subsidy in the area of improved seed (52kg), fertilizer (125kg) and herbicide (16 litres). Total Factor Productivity (TFP) was positively influenced by experience (0.083; p<0.05), farm size (0.183; p<0.01), seedlings(0.320; p<0.05), herbicide(0.270; p<0.03) and fertilizer (0.550; p<0.01) while farm income is positively determined by farm size (0.165; p<0.05), seedling s(0.210; p<0.01), herbicide (0.185; p<0.01) and credit (0.104; p<0.05) among others. Delayed or irregular subsidy distribution was identified as the major constraints challenging maize production in the study area. It was concluded that beneficiaries of subsidies demonstrated higher efficiency, better resource utilization, and improved earnings compared to their non-beneficiary counterparts. It is recommended among others that subsidy distribution should be strengthened and streamlined, and extension services should be provided all year round.