AN ANALYSIS OF THE DEMAND FOR CERTIFIED SEEDS OF MAIZE AND RICE IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was undertaken to provide baseline information on the socioeconomic characteristics and buying habits of farmers purchasing certified seeds of maize and rice in Ondo State; identify sources of supply of the certified seeds to the State; estimate the factors which influence the demand for the certified seeds in the State in 1993 and 1994; examine the constraints limiting increased use of the • certified seeds by farmers in the State and offer suggestions towards increased use of the two types of seeds in the State. Data collected from 196 growers chosen through multi stage random sampling were analysed using frequency distribution, simple proportions and multiple reqression analysis. Results showed that the mean age of the growers was approximately 52 years, while more than 70.0% of them had field sizes less than 2.0 hectares for both crops. Rice was generally grown sole while maize was mixed cropped with other food crops such as cassava and yarn. They ranked improved seeds higher than any other input and had buying habits such as buying the quantities of improved seeds needed in one season and planting the progeny thereafter, purchasing the quantities at the time of planting and storing them over time for planting as a hedge against in availability or inadequate supply of certified seeds during the planting season. Late and inadequate supply of improved seeds and inadequate finance to purchase these seeds constituted constraints to increased demand for them. Regression results showed that the hypothesized regressors; own-prices of seeds; prices of substitute/complement; farm sizes, distances travelled (to purchase certified seeds) and expected outputs of seeds explained 66.6% and 64.0% of the variations in the quantities of maize purchased. A similar set of regressors explained 54.5% and 50.8% of the variations in the quantities of rice demanded in 1993 and 1994 respectively. The demand for both seeds was inelastic with respect to own-price. However, the cross price elasticity of demand indicated that the price of rice was elastic with respect to the quantity of maize demanded in 1994 while that of maize was elastic with respect to the quantity of rice purchased in 1993. The demand for both seeds Was complementary except in 1993 when the demand for rice appeared competitive with that of maize. Suggestions towards increasing the demand for the certified seeds in the State include increase in farm size; timely supply of the seeds and complementary inputs such as fertilizers and herbicides; the encouragement of young school leavers to go into farming and the private sector to participate more in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of certified seeds of maize and rice.