Maize Innovation System in North Central, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study examined maize innovation system in north central, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: describe policies, acts and initiatives in maize innovation system, examine the technological capabilities of selected key actors in maize innovation system, examine the levels of linkage existing among the key actors, identify constraints in maize innovation system and identify strategies for improving maize innovation system in the study area. The study was carried out in north central , Nigeria. Specifically, Kwara, Kogi and Benue States of Nigeria constituted the population for the study. A total sample size of one hundred and fifty-six (156) respondents constituted the sample size for the study. Data for the study were collected through structured questionnaire and pre-tested interview schedule. Data were presented as percentage, mean and standard deviation. While factor analysis with loading of 0.4 and above was used to analyze constraints to maize innovation. The review of agricultural programmes, policies, acts and initiatives in maize innovation system revealed unsteady growth rate, low investment, weak linkage and lack of continuity. Technological and investment capabilities in equipment (9.9 %) and human resource (53.3 %) were found to be low among maize innovation actors. The linkage mechanism that were frequently used by the respondents were joint planning meeting ( =2.2), exchange of resources ( =2.2), joint training ( =2.2), joint workshop/seminars ( =2.2), memoranda of understanding ( =2.0), joint programming and priority setting ( =2.0) and joint research among stake holders ( =2.0).The results also revealed strong linkage between technology transfer agents and educators ( = 2.7), policy makers and farmers ( =2.5), researchers and educators ( =2.0), educators and technology transfer ( =2.0). A weak linkage was recorded among farmers and policy makers ( =1.7), educators ( =1.6), technology transfer agents ( =1.6) and researchers ( =1.4). The linkage mechanism that were frequently used by the respondents were joint planning meeting ( =2.2), exchange of resources ( =2.2), joint training ( =2.2), joint workshop/seminars ( =2.2), memoranda of understanding ( =2.0), joint programming and priority setting ( =2.0) and joint research among stake holders ( =2.0).Factors constraining maize innovation were policy/organizational related factors -poor information flow (0.817) and weak public- private sector collaboration (0.779), manpower related factors - poor extension network (0.768), low mobility of experts (professionals) (0.673) and poor motivation of staff (0.647), financial/marketing related factors include complex process of agricultural budgeting for research (0.728), lack of information on market (0.551) and poor access to credit (0.532 ) while institutional related factors were bureaucracy (0.679) and farmers’ conservatism (0.476). The major strategies for improving maize innovation include formation of maize cooperative society ( =2.6), access to communication facilities (internet and mobile phones) ( =2.6), adoption of improved maize varieties ( =2.6), improved funding on maize research ( =2.6), better marketing channel/networks ( =2.6), improved labour saving devices ( =2.6), regular visit and training by extension agents ( =2.5), improved working conditions for innovation actors ( =2.6) and adoption of improved pest management control strategies ( =2.4). The study recommend strong linkage between research ,university and enterprise, increase in investment in human and non-human resources, enlightment programmes on the roles of actors in maize innovation system, strengthening professional associations such as maize association of Nigeria (MAN), formulation of policies and enactment of legal and regulatory mechanism favourable to maize production and improvement on value and addition for scaling up of maize in meeting the rising feed demands and becoming an exporter crop.