Perception and usage militating factors of hybrid maize seed: evidence from Ghana

Hybrid seed maize emerged as a modern technology to replace open-pollinated maize variety (OPV), with the potential to increase production. The release of hybrid seed maize has, however, not attracted patronage and increased total maize output as expected in Ghana. This study investigated the perception and militating factors of hybrid maize seeds in Ghana. The main objectives of the study were (1) to identify the perceptions that maize farmers have about hybrid seed maize, (2) to understand the main factors that are responsible for the poor uptake of hybrid seed maize, and (3) to identify the main types of OPVs and hybrid seed maize currently used by farmers in Ghana. Primary data were collected from 200 maize farmers in two districts in Ghana. The probit regression model, perception index, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that farmers perceive hybrid maize seeds to be expensive (mean = -0.88) and not easily available (mean = -0.28). The study also found the usage level of hybrid maize seed among farmers to be very low (11%), with Pan53 being the most widely used (54%) hybrid variety. Cultural practices (P = 0.000), pests and diseases (P = 0.002), as well as seed cost (P = 0.058), were the statistically significant factors militating against the use of hybrid maize seed. Based on the above empirical results, the study concluded that maize farmers have negative perceptions about hybrid maize seed and that farmers were not adopting hybrid maize seed because it was expensive relative to open-pollinated varieties, required special cultural practices, and were sometimes attacked by pests and diseases. Farmers also preferred using the Pan53 variety among all the other hybrid maize varieties. The government should subsidize hybrid seed to encourage its use by farmers, and it should be made readily available to farmers. Certified seed agencies should focus on marketing more of the Pan53 hybrid seed since it is the most widely used by farmers. Also, extension officers should educate farmers on the use of hybrid maize seed varieties to correct the negative perceptions, encourage adoption, and, subsequently, increase maize output.