On-farm evaluation and dissemination of Quality Protein Maize and High Protein Maize varieties in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper presents on-farm evaluation and dissemination efforts on Quality Protein Maize (QPM) and High
Protein Maize (HPM) varieties developed by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Nigeria. The
study was conducted in seven states of Nigeria comprising Kaduna, Niger, Bauchi, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun and
Osun. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used for the selection of participating communities and farmers.
On-farm trials were conducted during 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons in twenty-one predominantly maize
growing communities of seven states in collaboration with Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) to
introduce farmers to the improved maize varieties. Demonstration plots were also established on 66 farmers’
fields across the selected states between 2010 and 2015. The major methods of dissemination used were
demonstration plots, training of trainers and field days. Field records, and structured interviews were dominant
instruments for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyse the data
collected. The results of the on-farm evaluation showed that QPM varieties gave the highest grain yield in all
locations except Osun state. Sensory evaluation showed that QPM varieties were most preferred for corn
soymilk and compared favourably with the farmers' local variety. HPM was preferred in terms of colour,
flavour, texture and taste for most of the products except for corn soymilk. The mean score for the maize
varieties as ranked by farmers revealed that farmers had high preference for QPM than the High Protein and
local maize varieties in terms of yield potential, maturity days, tolerance to drought, grain size, resistance to
diseases and insect pests. Farmers however, indicated low preference for white seeded variety of QPM. The
results are useful for validation of the promising attributes of QPM and HPM and also for breeding improved
QPM and HPM varieties in the future.