Evaluation of adoption of improved rice production technologies by small scale rice farmers in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the adoption of improved rice production technologies by small scale rice farmers in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 197 respondents from 12 villages where rice is produced in the State. Data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and logit regression. Results of the study revealed the means of age and household size of the respondents as 38.67 years and 11.83 people, respectively. The means of formal education was 6.99 years while that of years spent in rice farming was 17.06 years. Results of the study showed that 73% of the respondents did not have access to credit facilities with 52% of them perceiving that credit is highly important in the enterprise. Also, the findings of the study revealed that majority (95.43%) of the respondents were aware of seed of improved varieties while planting technology (95.43%) was the technology most adopted by the farmers. Insufficient credit facilities and non-membership of associations by farmers were the main constraints of the farmers. Years of formal education, years of rice farming and information sources used were the main factors affecting adoption of recommended improved rice production practices. The study recommended that farmers should be supported by credit facilities from government and non-governmental organizations in the study area.