Maize production in Kaduna State is the result of the decision of many farmers working under different environments with different motivations. Several policy instruments and other factors affect their decision to produce this crop. Using the double hurdle model and data from 600 farmers, this study analysed the factors influencing farmers’ participation and intensity of participation in maize production. Results showed that 66.33% are into maize production as their main source of livelihood and 52% are seasonal farmers with an average farm size of about 2.08ha. The decision to produce maize is significantly determined by quantity of seeds, farm size, labour and amount of credit (P<0.01), and fertilizer (P<0.05). In terms of factors that affect the intensity of maize production seeds, farm size, years of farming experience (P<0.01) and amount of credit (proxy for access to credit) (P<0.10) were found to be statistically significant. Based on these findings it is clear that maize production remains a source of livelihood to majority of farmers where its production is predominantly rainfed. Both institutional and non-institutional factors of production affect farmers’ decision to produce maize as well as the intensity or quantity he or she will produce. Therefore, to achieve double base maize production and an incentive for farmers to produce maize, policy makers must pay attention to timely and availability of these factors of production (seeds, fertilizer and credit). Private-public partnership by organizations dealing with agricultural inputs, developmental agencies as well as farmer-based associations, cooperatives, and societies can improve the intensity of maize production through contract farming and produce buying centres.

The study examined the impacts of rural-urban migration among youth farmers of selected rural areas of Kaduna state, Nigeria. The study used 80 respondents, sampled from 8 communities across 2 LGAs. Descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Results revealed that the respondents mean age, household size, farm size and farm experience of 32 years, 8.6 persons, 3.46 ha and 13.6 years respectively. Rural youth migration was high (53.80%) and it has impacted on farm income (mean = 3.32), rural poverty (mean = 3.30), low level provision of basic amenities (mean = 3.22) and remittances to their families (mean = 3.13). Increase in economic activities (mean = 3.40), relative peace obtained in the urban areas (mean = 3.19) and reduction of poverty status of the urban residents were some reasons for youth migration. Socio-economic characteristics such as gender (b = 0.941; t = 0.06), age (b = -1.063; t = 0.41), level of education (b = 2.827; t = 0.19), farm experience (b = 1.544; t = 1.17) and annual farm income (-2.623; t = 0.491) were significant variables to the rate of youth migration. Also, significant correlation exists between difference in annual farm income and youth rural-urban migration. The study thus recommended that government needs to put in place policies that can guarantee the farmers with provision of ideal and improved inputs need by the farmers at subsidized rate and made available when needed.

The study assessed engagement of farmers in Sasakawa Global 2000 African Agronomy Initiative cassava-maize intercrop in Abia State, Nigeria. Multistage random sampling procedure was used to select 60 cassava farmers for the study. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics (Probit regression analysis). Result showed that farmers had favourable perception (x ̅= 2.8) on Sasakawa cassava-maize intercrop technology attributes and high engagement (x ̅= 2.3) in the technologies. Farmers were constrained by high cost of technology (x ̅= 2.2) and negative perception of farmers about past related programmes (x ̅= 2.2). Probit regression result showed that coefficients for early maturity (-0.5076**), high yielding (0.0977***), disease and pest tolerance (-0.0611**), relative advantage (0.0628**) influenced farmers’ engagement in Sasakawa cassava-maize intercrop initiative in the study area. The study concluded that cassava-maize intercrop attributes encouraged farmers to engage in the technology. Policies aimed at promoting and intensifying breeding programmes on high yielding, early maturing, pest and disease tolerant varieties of cassava and maize were advocated for ease of engagement of farmers in the project.