UTILIZATION AND PROFITABILITY OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES ON MAIZE FARMERS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study is designed to determine the utilization and profitability of good agricultural practices (GAP) programme on maize farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria. The primary data used in the study were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire and multi-stage sampling procedure to select 240 respondents. Descriptive statistics, budgeting technique, and binary logistic regression model were major statistical tools employed to achieve the specific objectives and a four-point Likert-type scale was used to analyze the degree of utilization of the GAP programme practices in the study area. Findings showed that farmers under the utilized GAP programme had a mean profit of ₦55,300.33 (US$ 145.53). Further analysis showed a benefit-cost ratio (2.46) of the profitability of the GAP. The logistic regression revealed that age of maize farmer, level of education, extension contact, farm size, monthly income and training experience were the major determinants influencing the utilization of the GAP programme in the study area. The study concluded that the utilization of GAP programme by maize farmers contributed substantially to the profitability of their business. It was therefore, recommended that effective general extension services should be extended to the study area to intensify the use of GAP introduced technologies by farmers for maize production.