The influence of extension contacts and education on maize production in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of extension contact and education on the output of maize farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 160 farmers selected using multi-stage random sampling technique during the 2006 cropping season and analysed using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) multiple regression analysis. The OLS results reveal that land, labour, education and extension contact are the significant factors that accounted for observed variation in output. The study recommends that farmers should increase farm sizes so as to maximize output. Effective extension services and adult education programmes should also be strengthened in the state.