Determinants of Adoption Rate of Rice Production Technologies Introduced by Agricultural Research Outreach Centres (AROCs) by Farmers in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the determinants of adoption rate of rice production technologies introduced by Agricultural Research Outreach Centres in Nigeria. Data were collected using a multi-sampling technique. Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. Results revealed that respondents’ mean age was 50 years; level of formal education of farmers was low and farm size was 2.5ha on the average. Age, farming experience, years of schooling and number of extension visits were the socioeconomic determinants affecting rate of adoption. It was recommended that more villages should be selected with partnership between government and the private sector in order to cover more grounds and increase the rate of adoption of new technologies. Also, government and relevant stakeholders should prioritize establishment of the best extension teaching methods and systems as well as administration to help increase adoption rate of innovations and sustainability of the use of these technologies over time.

Factors Affecting Rice Farming Practices among Farmers in Ogun and Niger States, Nigeria

“…According to Ayedun and Adeniyi (2019), rice production is a profitable enterprise going by the high demand of rice grains in the market. Similar findings by Yusuf et al (2019) revealed that the current annual income from rice production in Niger State is as a result of adoption of improved rice farming practices introduced by Agricultural Research Outreach Centres (AROCs).…”

“…This is a pointer to the fact that rice farming practices in Niger State is better than that of Ogun State. Previous findings by Ojo and Ogunyemi (2013) and Yusuf, Salau and Girei (2019) showed that access and adoption of improved agronomic practices resulted in increased farm output. Table 2 show that 63.2% harvested more than 1.5tonnes/ha while 26.2% harvested 1.0 -4.0tonnes/ha.…”

“…On this premise, the farming practices in Niger State differ from that of Ogun State; if farmers adopt and apply improved farming practices there would be high productivity. Yusuf et al (2019) found that adoption of improved agricultural technologies and modern farming techniques are instruments of increased productivity and food security; improved farming practices also have potentials of increasing income Table 5 shows that inadequate finance (β = -0.13), pest and diseases incidence (β = -0.24), climate change (β = -0.26), land tenure problem (β = 0.10), birds disturbance (β = -0.13), land degradation and poor soil fertility (β = 0.13), non-availability of quality seeds and agro-chemicals (β = 0.11) and high cost of fertilizers (β = -0.12) were significant to production output. The negative signs of coefficients however indicate an inverse relationship between the factors affecting rice farming practices and production output of rice, that is, the more severe the problems the lesser the rice produced.…”

Does Credit Influence Fertilizer Intensification in Rice Farming? Empirical Evidence from Côte D’Ivoire

“…The level of education is a proxy of human capital. According to the literature, the educational level is an important determinant in the adoption of new agricultural technology [45,46]. Farmers with a higher education level may understand the necessity of adopting agricultural innovations.…”

“…Experienced rice farmers may be aware of the importance of agricultural innovations; therefore, they could respect the technology recommendations [47,48,50]. However, experience is often correlated with rice farmer's age; more experienced farmers might well be more risk-averse and less prone to face a change [43,46]. Experienced farmers may also have a good reputation with credit lenders [51].…”