Factors influencing adoption of Small-Scale Palm Oil Processing Equipment (SSPE) in Delta State

Abstract

The influence of respondents’ socio-economic characteristics on adoption was investigated along with other factors influencing adoption of the Small-Scale palm oil Processing Equipment (SSPE) in Delta State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used in administrating 164 structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that processors were mostly female (62%), with mean age of 39 years and 95% literacy. The respondents had mean processing experience of 14 years, without extension contact and low access to credit (9%). Regression result revealed coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.515, indicating that 51.5% of the variation in the model is explained by the explanatory variables included in the model. Years of schooling, membership of association and amount of credit received influenced adoption of recommended improved technologies. Respondents stated that the technologies were compatible, complex and very expensive. Nevertheless, they are beneficial in terms of reduction in processing time, less tedious and yield more palm oil. Therefore, it is recommended that government effort should be geared towards extension service delivery with specific emphasis to recommended palm oil processing technologies adoption; credit scheme should be made
available to processors by government and other financial institutions; and processors should form cooperative societies or association.

Key words: Adoption, Benefits, Palm oil, Processors, Technologies,