Profitability and Socio-economic Effects of Fertilizer use in Maize (Zea Mays) Production in Demsa Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria

The study examined the profitability and socioeconomic effects of fertilizer used on maize production in Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa state. 67 farmers were interviewed through structured questionnaires using simple random sampling and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. These consist of means, percentages and frequency distribution. Majority of the farmers interviewed were found to be young and ready to adopt innovations as 45 (54.69%) fall within the ages of 20 and 39 years. The major source of land ownership in the study area was through inheritance as was indicated by 38 (59.38%) respondents. On marital status, also 44 (68.75%) of them were married as against 20 (57.81%) who were either single or widowed. However, majority of the farmers 37 (57.81%) got their fertilizer from the open market while the ministry of Agriculture, ADP and other sources constitute 27 (42.19%). It is recommended that,Government should establish and intensify better agricultural extension services to educate the farmers on the recommended fertilizer to use, methods and time of application, affordability and guaranteed sources of credit should be established community levels.