www.iaset.us editor@iaset.us KNOWLEDGE OF FARMERS TOWARDS IMPROVED MAIZE PRODUCTION PRACTICE IN KHAGARIA DISTRICT OF BIHAR Suman Kumar 1 & Dipak Kumar Bose 2 1 Research Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension & Communication, SHUATS, Prayagraj, India 2 Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension & Communication, SHUATS, Prayagraj, India ABSTRACT The study was conducted in Khagaria District of Bihar to measure the knowledge of farmers towards improved Maize production practice in Khagaria district of Bihar. A total number of 120 respondents were selected purposively from six villages under Parbatta block because the productivity, production and area were found maximum. The data were collected by personnel interview method by using pre structured interview schedule and later appropriate statistical analysis was done to draw logical conclusion. The study revealed that majority (53.33 %) of the respondents belonged to the middle aged group and majority of the respondents belong to medium level size of land holding i.e 1 to 2 hac. It was found that respondents belong to 35.84 per cent of education i.e illiterate. The finding also revealed that 50.83 per cent of the respondents had medium level of knowledge towards improved Maize production practice measure followed by 26.67 % and 22.50 % of the respondents with low and high level of knowledge respectively. KEYWORDS: Knowledge, Maize Production Practice Article History Received: 07 Apr 2022 | Revised: 09 Apr 2022 | Accepted: 16 Apr 2022 INTRODUCTION The importance of agriculture in the socio-economic fabric of India can be realized from the fact that the livelihood of majority of the country population depends on agriculture. The agriculture sector contributing 19 % of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with more than 58 % population dependence. Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most widely distributed crops of the world. It is cultivated in the tropics, sub- tropics and temperate regions; from sea level to 4000 m above, under irrigated to Semi-arid conditions. Tremendous choice is available as regards to varieties maturing in 85 days to more than 200 days with variability in grain colour, size & texture. It is the most versatile emerging crop. Globally, maize is known as ‘Queen of cereals’ and ǁa ―miracle cropǁ because it has immense genetic yield potential among the cereals. Maize can be grown successfully in variety of soils ranging from loamy sand to clay loam. It can be produced in large volumes from small area, it is easy to grow and harvest. Maize is an important cereal in many developed and developing countries of the world. (Cornindia.com) Maize or Indian corn (called corn in some countries) is Zea mays, a member of the grass family Poaceae. It is a cereal grain which was first grown by people in ancient Central America. Approximately, 1 billion tonnes are harvested every year. However, little of this maize is eaten directly by humans. Most is used to make corn ethanol, animal feed and International Journal of Applied and Natural Sciences (IJANS) ISSN (P): 2319–4014; ISSN (E): 2319–4022 Vol. 11, Issue 1, Jan–Jun 2022; 41–46 © IASET