Effects of farmer support programmes on maize production: the case of the millennium development authority programme in the Sekyere east district of Ghana

Abstract

This study examined effects of farmer support programmes on maize production in the Sekyere . East District of Ghana using the Millennium Development Authority Programme (MiDA) as a case study. Data was collected from 100 beneficiaries and 100 non-beneficiary maize farmers of the MiDA programme. Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, the student t test ’ and simple regression analysis in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences were used to analyse the data. Overall extent of technology adoption was high (61.5%) among maize fanners. Although there were observed differences in yields, a / test showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the yields of beneficiaries (l.45bags/acre) and non-beneficiaries. (1.63bags/acrc) of the MiDA programme. There existed a statistically significant relationship (p<0.05) between yield obtained by Non-MiDA farmers and adoption of technologies. Beneficiaries of the MiDA programme identified delay of funds and input distribution as the major problem affecting the success of the MiDA programme. There should be a gender balance in selection of beneficiaries. Also, there should be an intensification of the activities of MiDA in the District since the yields of beneficiaries do not have a comparative advantage over the non­ beneficiaries.