DOES CREDIT ACCESS IMPROVE ADOPTION INTENSITY OF IMPROVED MAIZE SEED VARIETIES?

1 Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria ABSTRACT. This study investigated the effect of credit access on the adoption intensity of improved maize varieties in Osun State. A number of 150 maize farmers were selected through a multistage sampling procedure from using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, adoption index, and Tobit regression model were used to analyse the data collected. The results showed that Majority of maize farmers were over 40 years (52.6%), male (87%), and married (87%). The result also showed that majority of the farmers did not adopt improved maize varieties (55%) in the state. Swan 1 improved variety was majorly adopted (87.1%), while DMRESR-W variety was less adopted (62.9%) in the State. Just a few of maize farmers had access to credit in the State (20%). The mean adoption intensity in the State was observed to 62%. Based on adoption intensity of improved maize varieties, adopters were classified as partial adopters (65%) and full adopters (35%). Tobit regression estimates showed that credit access, household size, secondary occupation, years of education and extension contact have significant effect on the adoption intensity of improved maize varieties. In accordance with the findings, we therefore recommend that microfinance institutions should look attentively at scaling up their credit services to enhancing adoption intensity of improved maize varieties.