Factors Contributing to Enhanced Productivity of Improved Maize Technology in Rainfed Hill Areas of Nepal: A Case Study of Deurali Agro-ecological Research Site in Palpa District

摘要

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important staple crop in the hill areas of Nepal. The objective of this study was to assess the factors contributing to enhanced productivity of maize technology for improving food security in rainfed hill areas. Field- level quantitative and qualitative information was gathered and analyzed. Cobb-Douglas production functions were used to assess the response of different inputs with improved and local varieties. Improved varieties of maize found in the Agro- Ecological Research (AER) site were Manakamana 3, Hill Pool Yellow, Hill Pool White, Rampur Composite and Ganesh 2 and in the non-AER site were Rampur composite and Manakamana 3. Factors contributing to improved productivity were analyzed and the results revealed that the coefficient for land area was significant at the 5% level, while those for capital and labor were not. The study showed that the community-based maize seed production launched by the Lumle Regional Agricultural Research Station was more effective and efficient for producing high quality improved seeds for specific locations. Such programs contributed to the widespread adoption by the farmers. A total package of technologies and marketing linkage were of critical importance for better economic efficiency and more sustained increase in yields in the area.