KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF NIGERIAN METROLOGICAL AGENCY’SSEASONAL CLIMATE INFORMATION ON MAIZE PRODUCTION AMONGFARMERS IN ONDO AND PLATEAU STATES, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assesses the Knowledgeand Practice ofthe Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s (NiMet’s) seasonal climate information on maize production among farmers in Ondo and Plateau States, Nigeria. The study's objectives are to ascertain if climate information by NIMET increases maize production among farmers in Ondo and Plateau States andthe types of seasonal climate information released by NiMet on maize farming. The other objective is to determine the challenges of climate information uptake by maize farmers. The study uses the diffusion of innovation theory.It adopts the mixed methods research approach and and employs the questionnaire and key informant interview as instruments for data collection. A total of 120 respondents participated in the study. The respondents were selected using purposive, snowballing, and availability sampling techniques. Findings show, among others, that seasonal climate information by NiMeT does not increase maize production among the farmers. The study thus recommends that the government should initiate programmes that will encourage farmers to break up from their held-on/traditional beliefs regarding how maize is cultivated.