Effects of Adoption of Improved Maize Technology on Yield among Smallholder Maize Farmers in the Bawku West District of Upper East Region of Ghana

For over a decade now improved maize technology constituting a package of fourteen production recommendations have been developed and disseminated to maize farmers in the Bawku West district of the Upper East region through the district department of agriculture. This paper presents findings of a study conducted to assess the level of adoption of these production recommendations and its effect on yield among smallholder farmers in the district. Through multistage sampling techniques, 400 maize farmers were surveyed with personal interviews, focus group discussions and observations employed in gathering data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in analysing the data and results presented in tables and graphics. Many (44%) of the farmers surveyed were found to have been practicing most of the production recommendations. The study found significant and positive relationship between level of adoption and yield. Adoption of many production recommendations guarantees high yield. Also, age, gender, household size, farm size of maize credit, labour and experience were found as significant determinants of yield. Education and training aimed at improving farmers understanding and skills regarding the practice of maize production recommendations should be strengthened and organized regularly.