Evaluation of the use of certified maize seeds by farmers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine key factors that explain the use or non-use of certified maize seeds by
farmers in the Ejura-Sekyedumasi Municipal Area in Ghana. A standardized structured questionnaire was used
to interview 106 farmers selected from five (5) communities through a simple random sampling method. The
data were analyzed using descriptive tools such as frequency distribution tables, percentages and arithmetic
mean. Binary logistic regression model was used to examine the main factors that determine the use of certified
seeds. Even though 95% of maize farmers were aware of certified seed maize, only 27% of them used certified
seeds to produce maize. Results from the study showed that farm size, level of education, extension contact
and access to credit were the main factors that significantly influenced the use of certified maize seed by
farmers. Whereas educational level, extension contact and credit access had positive effect on the probability of
using certified maize seeds, farmers with larger farm sizes were found to have a higher probability of not using
certified seeds to produce maize. To improve the uptake of certified seeds among farmers, the study
recommended improved extension-farmer contact, continuous sensitization and education of farmers on the
benefits derived from certified seeds and improved access to credit for farmers.