COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF TECHNOLOGY GENERATING PRACTICE AMONG UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES IN NORTH CENTRAL ZONE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

In order to examine the technology generating practice among universities and research institutes in north central zone of Nigeria, the study examined sources of funds for technology generating activities, compare agro-technology generating practices and identify constraining factor hindering technology generating practices. One hundred and fifty-two academic staff were randomly selected from universities and one hundred and thirty-six respondents were drawn from research institutes. Validated questionnaires with reliability coefficient of r=0.92 was used to elicit data. Data collected were analyses using descriptive statistics, Likert rating scale, T-test and Factor analysis. Majority 93.4% of universities respondents used their personal funds to generate new technology compare to their counterpart in research institutes. The most widely mechanism employed for generating agricultural technologies was joint radio programmes (mean= 3.38) while the least was biotechnology (mean=2.57). Major areas of difference were the physical distance between technology generation (t=13.54;P<0.05), Farmers participate in field research trial (t=8.50;P<0.05), Farmers co-finance adaptive research trial (t=3.77;P<0.05) and Adequate research facilities and incentives to workers (t=2.05;P<0.05). Factors constraining variable based on technology generation for universities respondents was Poor access to knowledge and information on new innovation r= 0.815 while for research institutes was Limited physical resources (ICT, Telephone) r= 0.801. It was recommended therefore that respondents should look in to option of writing different fund proposals and submitting to different funding bodies, Joint radio programme should be strengthen. Technological linkage advisory council should be formed and formalized.