Factors influencing the adoption of improved vegetable production practices among women farmers in Aguata-Agricultural Zone, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the level and determinants of adoption of improved vegetable production practices in the study area. A three-stage sampling procedure was used in the selection of 160 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and Probit regression model. Results on adoption level of the selected improved vegetable production practices indicated that improved seeds had a grand mean of ?̅ = 3.17, field preparation (?̅ = 3.19), planting distance (?̅ = 2.99), water management (?̅ = 3.43), fertilizer/organic manure application (?̅ = 3.55), pesticides (?̅ = 2.57), harvesting ( ?̅= 5.00) and storage procedure (?̅ = 4.89) based on 5-point Likert scale adoption level. On factors influencing adoption of improved vegetable production practices, the result revealed that farm size (1.00188***), credit access (4.704902**), on-farm demonstration (2.900749**) and farm labour (1.295902***) had a positive and significant influence on improved vegetable production practices by the respondents. The result further indicated that the age (0.3135258***) and the off-farm income (0.0870768) of the farmers had a negative influence on the adoption of improved vegetable production practices. Based on these findings, the study revealed that the women farmers could have full adoption of the improved production practices if the factors are adequately addressed. The study therefore recommends that before the introduction of a new technology, the ADPs should ensure that maximum audience analysis is carried out to address some of the factors influencing adoption. Besides, introduction of new technologies to farmers should go hand-in-hand with on-farm demonstration since it is by that they would develop confidence and allay their fears associated with improved practices.