Oyo and Kaduna States Maize Farmers’ Perception of Selected Agricultural Policies in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the awareness and perception of agricultural policies by maize farmers in Oyo and Kaduna States of Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 424 respondents: 210 farmers from Oyo and 214 farmers from Kaduna, from whom data were collected using questionnaires administered through a phone poll. Mean, frequency and 2 inferential statistics such as Chi-square, Spearman Rho, and Pearson Correlation were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that farmers in Oyo (67.6%) and Kaduna (68.7%) States were aware of the ban on maize importation. Moreover, farmers in Kaduna were more aware (63.1%) of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme than those in Oyo (48.1%). Most farmers in Oyo and Kaduna States had a favourable perception of the ban on maize importation. Farmers in Kaduna had a better perception of the Anchor Borrowers’ Program and Growth Enhancement Support Scheme than their Oyo counterparts. The study recommends that Agricultural policies in Nigeria should be co-created with farmers and decentralised to have holistic and encompassing policies workable nationwide.