Analysis of the adoption of millet production management practices among farmers of Funakaye Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyzed the Adoption of Millet Production Management Practices among farmers of Funakaye Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria. A multi stage sampling technique was employed to select a total of 48 millet farmers, from the list of millet farming households. Structured questionnaire and interview schedule were used in the data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages and ranking) and multiple regression models. Results shows that slightly above half (51.1%) of the respondents practiced the use of inorganic fertilizers, another 97.9% and 85.1% of the respondents adopted post-harvest handling and crop rotation practices, respectively. The findings further revealed that majority (70.2%) of millet farmers did not use improved millet varieties and (74.5 %) also did not use pest and disease management practices. Pest and diseases management practices were found to be positive and significant variable at 5% significance, showing that correct management would elicit yield of 984.893kg of millet. Adoption of inorganic fertilizers was also significant variable but negative at 5% significance. The study concludes that pest and diseases management practices, adoption of fertilizers (organic and inorganic) were the important production management practices influencing adoption among millet farmers. Adoption of improved management practice can be improved by the increase access to farmers of extension officers from Agricultural Development projects (ADPs), Research Institutes, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Local Government Areas (LGAs)