Introduction of Sasakawa Technology on Irrigated Maize (Zea mays L) Production in Kurmi Mayolope, Hong. of Adamawa State Nigeria

The study was conducted in Kurmi Mayolope, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria, Sasakawa technology was introduced on irrigated maize (Zea mays L) production. A hybrid maize variety OBA 98, MR (white), obtained from skill acquisition Centre and local variety retained by farmers were used. The specific objectives of the study described the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents: determines the problem encountered by farmers in maize production, demonstrated how to increase yield through the use of Sasakawa technology on irrigated maize and best agronomic practice and examined the performance of Sasakawa technology for increase yield of maize production. Data collected were analysed and presented in percentage performance over that of farmers. The result revealed that the significant Technology used in Sasakawa that increased yield was spacing, the rate of fertiliser application and single seed sowing per hill. The yield components determined were number of cobs per plant, number of seed per cob and cob weight. Sasakawa technology experimental plots were observed to have significantly outperformed the farmers plot in a number of cobs per plant, number of seeds per cob, cob weight, cob length and grain yield. It is therefore recommended that spacing of 25 cm x25 cm between plants and 75 cm x75 cm between rows, burying (sowing) of fertiliser at the recommended dose and other inputs such as seeds and herbicides should be made available in time and at a subsidized rate to farmers by Government and Nongovernmental organizations. Effective extension services should also be extended to farming areas to enlighten and intensify the use of Sasakawa technology to the farmers for maize production.