Factors Influencing Farmers' Attitude to Adopt Drought Tolerant Maize Varieties in Ondo State, Nigeria.

The study investigated factors influencing farmers' attitude towards adoption of drought-tolerant maize varieties. One hundred maize farmers were selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure and data were collected through structured questionnaires. Information was collected on the socioeconomic characteristics of the maize farmers, farmers' level of awareness of drought-tolerant maize varieties, farmers' attitudes towards agricultural innovation, constraints to adoption of droughttolerant maize varieties and, factors influencing farmers' attitude towards adoption of droughttolerant maize varieties. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Logit regression. The findings revealed that 76% of the maize farmers had limited awareness regarding the benefits and characteristics of drought-tolerant maize varieties. Also, the majority (74%) of the farmers lacked knowledge about the quality and advantages of these varieties. Despite positive attitude (mean = 4.28) which was measured at ordinal level, several constraints to adoption were identified, mainly low output of drought tolerant maize varieties (mean = 2.30). The findings also showed the substantial impact of two key factors (that is, sex and income) as factors influencing farmers' attitude to adopt drought-tolerant maize varieties. Farmers are yet to take advantage of drought-tolerant maize varieties as a mitigating strategy against climate change. The need for extension services and non-governmental organizations to step up awareness creation and training on best agronomic practices in growing the maize varieties is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]