Rubber production technologies and the related socio-economic environments in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed rubber production technologies and the related socio-economic environments in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study seeks to reawaken the interests of rubber farmers in improved rubber production technologies in the study area. The specific objectives of the study were to; identify the socioeconomic characteristics of rubber farmers in the study area, identify improved rubber production technologies disseminated to farmers and to assess some socio-economic variables associated with adoption of improved rubber production technologies in the study area. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used in selecting 96 rubber farmers for the study. Primary data generated for the study were analysed using descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies and Multiple Regression Analysis. The result showed that Extension Officers disseminated about 13 improved rubber production technologies to farmers in the area. From the OLS regression estimates, R² value was 0.559 with three selected socio-economic variables being the major factors affecting adoption of improved rubber production technologies. These include; Age, Education and Contact with Extension Agents. These were significant at l% level of probability. This calls for the re-introduction of non-formal education among farmers in the rural areas to improve their level of education and adoption of improved technologies. Government should increase the extension-farmer ratio from the present 1:1000 to 10:1000.

Keywords: Rubber production, technologies, socio-economic environments, variables and Akwa Ibom State