ANALYSIS OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FARTERLIZER USAGE AMONG MAIZE FARMERS IN GWAGWALADA AND KWALI AREA COUNCILS, FCT

ABSTRACT This study was carried out on the analysis of organic and inorganic fertilizer usage among maize farmers in Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Councils, FCT. The objectives were as follows: to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the maize farmers, identify the sources of fertilizers among maize farmers, determine the factors influencing maize farmers choice of organic and inorganic fertilizer and to identify constraints to the adoption of organic and inorganic fertilizer among maize farmers in the study area. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select a sample size of 103 maize farmers. A well-structured questionnaire, consisting of both closed and open ended questions was used to obtain data from the farmers. The analytical tools employed for this study include; descriptive statistics such as mean, percentage distribution and inferential statistics such as probit regression analysis. The variables that were found to be significant in the factors that influence maize farmers choice of organic fertilizer are: farming experience (3.33)*** which was significant at 1%, level of education (2.00)** was significant at 5%, access to credit (2.50)** that was also significant at 5%, farm size (2.51)** was also significant at 5%, membership in cooperative(2.42)** also was significant at 5%. The variables that were also found to be significant in the factors that that influence maize farmers choice of inorganic fertilizer are: Household Size (2.22)** which was significant at 5%, farming experience (3.18)*** which was also significant at 1%, level of education (1.75)* was significant at 10%, access to extension services (1.79)* was also significant at 10%, access to credit (2.20)** that was significant at 5%, farm size (2.00)** was also significant at 5%, membership in cooperative(1.87)* was significant at 10%. Based on the findings, it was discovered that most farmers are faced with the issue of high costs and limited access to fertilizers, especially in remote areas, are major constraints for farmers and some recommendations were made such as to improve financial accessibility, farmers should establish farmer-managed savings and credit cooperatives, as well as community-based microfinance programs and also Government and private sector should increase the availability of both organic and inorganic fertilizers, especially in remote and rural areas.