Adoption of Improved Varieties among Rice Farmers in the Kindia Region of Guinea

Abstract

This study investigated the adoption characteristics of improved rice variety among rice farmers in the Kindia region of Guinea. A Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 180 rice farmers and a well-structured interview guide was used to elicit information from the respondents. Data were analysed using percentages, mean statistics, standard deviation and Chi-square.  The most adopted rice variety was CK 90 (86.6%).  Factors influencing the adoption of improved rice varieties were market channels (84.9%), membership of associations (91.7%) and contact with extension personnel (85.5%).  Most (97.2%) rice farmers knew about growing improved rice varieties. Most (66.1%) of the respondents had a favourable attitude towards growing improved rice variety but faced constraints like insufficient loan ( = 2.89), weed infestation ( = 2.37), storage losses ( = 2.19) and low extension activities ( = 2.11). The adoption characteristics of respondents were good (88.3%) with economic characteristics having the highest mean ( =2.71). Educational qualification was significantly related (χ² =1.149) to the adoption characteristics of improved variety. Efforts should be made by research institutes to ensure increased access of rice farmers to improved seed varieties with attractive characteristics which could aid its adoption and ensure food security in Guinea.