Agricultural Extension Teaching Methods and the Adoption of Improved Rice Varieties among Small Scale Farmers in Edu Local Government of Kwara State.

Abstract

The study assessed the role of agricultural extension teaching methods on the adoption of improved rice varieties among small scale farmers in Edu local government area of Kwara State, to achieved the study objectives, multistage random sampling techniques was used to select 160 respondents from five villages of Edu local government. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, and T-test. The result showed that 48.5%of the adopters of improved rice varieties were in the active age range of between 30-40years. The results further shows that demonstration (Small Plot Adoption Techniques-SPAT) with a proportion of 43.8% was the best extension teaching methods for adoption of improved rice varieties by small scale farmers in the study area. The regression analyses on the estimation factors that affect the output of respondents showed that land size, educational status and adoption rate were statistically significant and have positive relationship with their output. The t-test result of the output of adopter of inmproved rice varieties and non-adopter was statistically significant (2.579) at 5% level. Some of the problems encountered by the respondents in the study area includes inadequate technical knowledge on improved rice varieties, poor communication channels and difficulties in accessing improved varieties of seed. Formulation of agricultural policies that will enhance better communication channels, adequate and timely supply of imputs such as improved seed of rice and fertilizers, provision of adequate knowledge on the control of pest and disease will increase the adoption of rice output of the farmers in the study area.