Technology Attributes Influencing Farmers\' Use Of Nrcri/Iita Improved Gari Frying Equipment In South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

An improved gari frying equipment was developed by National Root Crops Research Institute(NRCRI) Umudike in conjunction with International Institute of Tropical
Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan in order to eliminate the drudgeries associated with traditional
gari frying method. A study on farmers\' use of the technology showed that several factors
influenced the use of the technology among farmers in Southeastern Nigeria. This paper
therefore seeks to evaluate influences of attributes of the gari frying equipment on the use
of the technology among farmers in Southeastern Nigeria. Structured interview schedule
was used to elicit data from 320 farmers in the study area. Data analysis ran with the
probit model statistics indicated R2 value of 0.0964 which implies that 9.64% of the total
variation in the use of the technology was accounted for by the attributes considered in the
study. Attributes such as ‘time saving advantage and ‘similarity with farmers\' own devices
had very significant positive influence while on the other hand cost of using the technology
as well as hazard associated with technology had significant negative influence on
farmers\' use of the technology. It is thus recommend that Governments and nongovernmental organization through granting of soft loans should encourage farmers and
farmer groups to own the equipment. This gesture would reduce and enhance use of the
technology. Again, the research Institutes (NRCRI and IITA) should seek ways of
eliminating the hazards associated with the technology as identified by the farmers.

Keywords: Technology, Attributes, Influencing, Improved, Equipment

Journal of Technology and Education in Nigeria Vol. 11 (1) 2006: pp. 74-80