The study aimed at: (i)estimating the rates of adoption and application of inorganic fertilizer; and (ii)determining the farmer-and farm-characteristics conditioning the adoption of inorganic fertilizer in two selected States in the northwest zone of Nigeria, namely, Kano and Katsina States. A two-stage sampling procedure was adopted in the survey, First, two Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zones were purposively sampled in each State on the basis of relative climate. In Kano State, Rano and Danbatta zones were chosen, while in Katsina State, Funtua and Ajiwa zones were selected. Second, 60 farmers were randomly selected from each of the four ADP zones giving a total sample size of 240. The results of the survey showed that the mean rates of adoption of inorganic fertilizer were 85.85% for Kano, 98.35% for Katsina, and 92.10% for both States. These rates of adoption were illustrative of a long history of exposure to fertilizers. The mean rates of application of inorganic fertilizers of 41.49kg ha-1 for Kano, 67.24kg ha-1 for Katsina and 54.36 kg ha-1 for both States were, however, short of the recommended nutrient levels for the staple food crops grown in the two States. The result of the analysis of the socioeconomic factors conditioning adoption of inorganic fertilizer showed that all the factors included in our model influenced the adoption of inorganic fertilizer, but there were locational differences in the significance of these factors. Recommendations made included: the complementary applications of inorganic and organic fertilizers; the adoption of integrated soil fertility management practices; training extension educators and other technical assistants to understand the factors conditioning adoption for more effective targeting and delivery of programmes; the education of the rural populace, encouraging membership of farmers' associations; the expansion of farm sizes; improved access to production credit; and the strengthening of existing extension systems.

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Two separate researches were conducted in northern Nigeria. The first study (1996/97) covered Kano, Jigawa and Katsina States and the second (2002/03) covered Kano and Katsina States. These States have high agricultural production potentials and are significant in both biophysical characteristics and population density for the larger part of northern Nigeria. These two researches compared the seed types and quantities of chemical fertilizers used in the two separate agricultural seasons. The results showed that traditional crop varieties for sorghum (such as Farafara, Kaura and Mori), millet (such as Zango and Dan Akaranja) and cowpea (such as Dan wuri and Dan Illa) dominated the cropping system compared to improved varieties for these crops such as Yarshawa, Gaya early and Samsorg 15 for sorghum, Ex-Bornu and Lawur for millet and Kananado and ITA 60 for cowpea. However, for groundnut, improved varieties such as RMP 12, RRB, Ex-Dakar and Yarkabara were more prevalent than local ones such as Yar Tsugune and Jar Jigilla. The average rates of application of chemical fertilizer were 74.28 kg nutrient ha-1 in 1996/97 and 54.37 kg nutrient ha-1 for 2002/03. These application rates fell short of the recommended rates for some staples such as 220-240 kg nutrient of N P K ha-1 for open-pollinated maize, 300 kg nutrient of N P K ha-1 for hybrid maize, 200-300 kg nutrient ha-1 for sorghum, 100-200 kg nutrient ha-1 for millet and 200-350 kg nutrient ha-1 for rice. The recommendations made included the need for more emphasis on the development of improved crop varieties that are adaptable to existing ecological and economic conditions; encouraging public and private sector partnerships in seed production and distribution, and the adoption of integrated soil fertility management approaches.

The study analyzed factors that influence farmer's participation in hybrid maize seed production in the study area. A Logit analysis was used to analyze factors influencing farmer's participation in hybrid maize seed production while T-test was used to analyze if there is difference in the mean yields of farmers growing hybrid seeds and those involved in local maize production. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from farmers based on the 2005 cropping season activities while on the spot observation data were also collected. Results of the Logit analysis has shown that age of farmers, educational qualification and expectation of prompt payment by the contracting company were the factors that facilitate farmers' participation in hybrid production in the area. Results have also shown that farmers that grow hybrid had yields that were significantly difference than those growing local varieties in the area. This is proof evidence that the hybrid maize technology with complementary packages holds promise for helping in solving the problem of food insecurity in rural areas and the country at large if its production is supported and encouraged. There should therefore be a deliberate policy by government at all levels, non-governmental organizations and the international organization to support and encourage farmers to get involved in the production of hybrid maize as a better alternative to the local maize varieties.