A study to assess the economic and technical feasibility of chemical weed control method in maize (Zea maysL.) production was conducted during 1981 to 1983 cropping seasons. The results indicated that the use of herbicide reduced time required for hoe‐weeding, delayed hoe‐weeding and consequently reduced the labour demand during the months of June to August by 38%. A better weed control achieved on the herbicide‐treated plots resulted in yield increases of 9%, 6% and 15% per ha in 1981, 1982 and 1983, respectively, compared with the control plots. Based on income returns and labour use per ha, herbicide technology was found superior to hoe‐weeding alone.