Technological Changes in Farming among the Tiv Farming Households in Nigeria

Abstract

This study determined the changes in farming technologies among Tiv farmers. The study used the survey design, with the aid of interview schedule. The study was conducted among the Tiv in Benue, Nassarawa and Taraba States Nigeria which also constituted the population of the study. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select farming households. A total of 315 farming household were sampled for the study. Data were analysed using frequency, percentages, mean statistics, percentage change and independent sample t-test statistics. There was significant change in frequency of use of innovation/technologies at P ≤ 0.05 in the colonial and post-colonial periods. Farming tools had a percentage changed of -99.4 on the use of planting stick and 4331.8 for the use of tractor and accessories, while processing machine had a percentage change of 1256.9. There were more farmers who sourced planting material in the post-colonial as compared with the colonial period from Agricultural Development Projects, (ADPs) and input markets had greater increase as sources of across most of the crops studied. The study recommends that state governments should support as many intervention programmes much as required and needed by farmers.

Keywords: Colonial era, Post-Colonial, Tiv farming households Innovations; Technological change