Comparative Analysis of Poverty Status Among Adopter and Non-Adopters of Improved Maize Varieties Farmers in Nigeria

Abstract

This study analysed the poverty status (incidence, depth and severity) among adopters and non-adopters of improved maize varieties (IMVs) in Nigeria so as to know the effect of adoption of IMVs on the adopters’ poverty alleviation. Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to elicit the primary data. A total sample size of 227 (115 adopters and 112 non adopters of Improved maize varieties) randomly drawn from 36 villages across the 3 Agro-ecological zones (AEZs) was used for the study. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Foster Greer Thorbecke index. The result of descriptive statistics shows that the respondents sampled were in their productive age with the mean age of 51.04, 58.45 and 54.75 for adopters, non-adopters and pooled respectively. Analysis of poverty status revealed that the percentage of non-poor farmers was greater among the adopters of IMV while non-adopters had higher percentage of poor farmers with pronounced incidence, depth and severity of poverty. Strengthening the efforts by government, policy makers and agro allied company that make production inputs available and accessible to the practicing farmers without bureaucratic bottleneck and increase in the sensitization campaigns by extension agents to encourage adoption of improved maize varieties based on its positive effects of reducing poverty among farmers are suggested.

Keywords: Adoption, Improved Maize Varieties, Poverty status, Maize farmers,  Descriptive statistics,  Foster Greer Thorbecke index.