Abstract:
This study sought to assess the availability and accessibility of improved maize varieties to farmers, the varieties they grow and their perceptions with the gross margins of maize production in Kachumbala sub county Bukedea District. A total of 70 maize cultivating farmers were randomly selected. The study investigated the demographic characteristics of maize farmers such as gender, age, farming experience, education level farm size among others. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. In analyzing, descriptive statistics were used for characterizing farmers, mean was used to analyze scale Likert questions which were answering the questions perceptions whilst gross margin formula was used for gross margin analysis. The results revealed that all (100%) the respondents who participated in the study were maize farmers who mainly planted Longe and DK varieties of maize. Farmers’ perceptions were high on improved maize varieties being grown for sale and the high cost of improved maize varieties but moderate perceptions on their like of improved maize varieties, the high yielding of improved maize varieties, production of improved varieties for sale, low perceptions on availability of improved maize varieties, accessibility of improved maize varieties and very low perception on use of improved maize varieties for subsistence production. The study results further revealed that maize production was profitable.
