Determination of Farmers’ Socio-Economic Characteristics Influencing Adoption of Agro-Forestry Packages of the Imo State Agricultural Development Program

Abstract

This paper investigated farmers’ socio-economic characteristics influencing the adoption of Agro forestry packages of the Imo State Agricultural Development program (ADP). Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire administered to 90 respondents from the three agricultural zones of the state. A multistage random sampling technique was adopted to select the respondents. Analysis was carried out using simple percentages and multiple regression model, and results showed that adoption of agro-forestry technologies require mainly young, educated, large scale and rich farmers with access to credit and high contact with extension agents. The paper recommended that extension agents-farmer contact be improved with quality education given to farmers. In addition, farmers should have access to credit with adequate supervision.

Keyword: Farmers, adoption, agro-forestry, technologies