Characteristics and Trends in production and Market Potential of Certified Maize Seeds in Nigeria

Abstract

The study determined the characteristics and trends in market potential and production of certified maize seed in Nigeria. Data came from certified maize seed and maize grain farmers, and from various issues of Statistical Bulletins of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, markov chain process, time series analysis and budgetary technique. Results of the analyses indicated that certified maize seed production is a modern farming method, and producers were mainly male, literate, had mean age of about 42 years and mean experience of 9 years in certified maize seed production. Producers operated as sole proprietors, obtained farmland largely through inheritance and used informal farm financing sources. The seed farmers prefer selling to government agencies that guarantee purchase of their entire seed output. Significant proportion (55%) of maize grain farmers did not use certified maize seed largely because of ignorance and lack of complementary inputs. Both market potential and production of certified maize seed will grow with time.