Determinants of Adoption of Integrated Pest Management Practices Among Maize Farmers in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Summary The purpose of this study is to examine the determinants of integrated pest management (IPM) adoption among maize farmers in Southwest Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to collect information from 360 respondents (namely 180 adopters and 180 non-adopters of IPM) from Osun and Ekiti States, Nigeria. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and probit regression models. The descriptive statistics results obtained on the respondents’ awareness of IPM practices indicate that a majority (74.2%) of the respondents are aware of IPM practices. Most of the respondents (98.9%) were categorized as adopters of IPM. The probit regression analysis results revealed that the respondent’s gender, farm size, access to enough credit, land ownership and the environmental impact of IPM were significant coefficients, potentially increasing the adoption of IPM at various levels. The findings obtained suggest that the government and financial institutions should assist farmers by offering readily available loans at a low or no interest rate and by making essential inputs available to farmers at a subsidize rate.