The aim of this study was to empirically examine factors affecting adoption and intensity of adoption of improved maize seed technology in Machakel Woreda of the Amhara Regional state. Two stage sampling procedure was followed to select rural Kebeles and households for the study. The study selected three rural Kebeles randomly by taking 260 households based on proportional probability to size from the sample of 25 rural Kebeles using cross sectional data from smallholder farmers in the Woreda. Both descriptive statistics and Logit and Tobit model employed to analyze the data gathered from sample households to achieve the objective of the study. Results of the Logit model implies that family size, participation in off farm activity, membership of cooperatives, frequency of contact with extension agent and ox ownership of the household, were significantly and positively influence the adoption of improved maize seed technology while in the Tobit model cultivation land size and ox ownership of the household were significantly and positively influence the intensity of utilization of improved maize seed technology. On the other hand, age of household and access to credit service were negatively and significantly influence both adoption and intensity of utilization of improved maize seed technology. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that the importance of extension service provision to improve farmers’ access to information and any other extension advices to enhances the adoption and intensity of utilization of improved maize seed in the area. So, the concerned body should give emphasis to the improvement of such institutional support to increase adoption of technology which increases production and productivity of small holder farmers.