An evaluation of the National Maize Development Program in Narayani Zone, Nepal
Date
1986
Authors
Kailash N. Gongal
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Abstract
To determine the performance of the National Maize Development Program of Narayani Zone, Nepal, the study used an interview schedule in collecting the data from 291 maize farmers in the area.
Based on the socio-economic profile of the respondents, the classified mean age of the maize farmers was 40.62 years and the mean number of farming experience was 13.65 years.
Extension services of NMDP were rated as: (1) training held were mostly timely and delivered adequately and efficiently to maize farmers; (2) result demonstrations conducted were perceived to be both moderately timely, moderatley adequate but efficient; (3) field trips were timely, adequately and moderately efficient; (4) minikits dispersal was rated moderate in all levels.
Many of the farmer-respondents availed of both agricultural inputs and credit assistance, but not the irrigation assistance.
Highly significant relation existed between adoption of improved maize technology and field trips, minikit dispersal, input assistance, and credit assistance. Significant relation was observed between training and result demonstration. Likewise, field trips and irrigation assistance had high significant relation with crop productivity. Result demonstrations, minikit dispersal and input assistance were significantly related to crop productivity.
Multiple regression analysis showed that input assistance contributed significantly to the level of adoption of improved maize technology. Field trips and irrigation assistance were significantly related with crop productivity.
Problems commonly met by farmers were lack of irrigation facilities, non-availability of agricultural inputs at the time of need, and crops damaged by wildlife. Moreover, technicians wanted to provide solutions to inability of NMDP researchers and extensionists in gathering feedback from cooperators, alck of incentives to farmers for better production, and inefficiency of field technicians in the delivery of technology to maize farmers.