EFFECTS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FARMERS ON MAIZE PRODUCTION IN CHANCHAGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE

Abstract

The study examined the effects of the socio economic factors of farmers on maize production in Chanchaga L.G.A of Niger State. Primary data were collected using interview schedule. A total of 100 respondents were randomly selected from five (5) villages and the data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Multiple Regression). The result revealed that most of the respondents were still young, all of which belong to the male gender with large family sizes but with low literacy levels they were mostly small scale farmers with a large number having less than one hectare of maize farm. The farm size, labour and fertilizer had significant positive effect on maize production but capital inputs had negative significant effect on maize output. The constraints faced by the farmers include; inadequate capital, problem of pest and diseases.