An economic analysis of adopting new imazapyr resistant maize in eastern Uganda

Abstract

Witch weed (Striga) is a major constraint to maize production in Sub-Saharan Africa. New
imazapyr-resistant maize (IRM) technology appears to be effective in controlling the weed.
This study was conducted to analyze the economics of adopting IRM technology alongside
local maize (LM) in Eastern Uganda based on sample size of 60 farmer households with two
maize variety fields (IR and Local Maize). The data were collected for six seasons in three
years of project implementation. The two commercially imazapyr resistant maize varieties
in the trial were Longe 5H-IR and Victoria 3H-IR in comparison with local maize. Results
showed a considerable difference in profit between IRM (Ug.sh 6,107,500) and local (Ug.sh
3,672,800) in Striga infested area. The Striga counts and maize variety yields were inversely
related. The outcome of regression analysis showed that level of education by host farmers,
distance to source IRM seeds, yields of a variety, Striga counts, land Striga status and food
shortage were the major factors influencing adoption of IRM. Accordingly, there is need
to have a well-defined system that links farmers, agro-dealers, and seed companies through
which knowledge and experiences can easily be shared and allowing the players to become
more efficient and productive.