Effect of improved seed technology adoption on small-scale sorghum farmers’ productivity in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the effect of improved seed technology adoption on small-scale sorghum farmers’ productivity in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was employed in determining the sample size from the sample frame, 240 respondents were sampled using proportionate sampling technique. Data for the study were collected using structured questionnaire containing open and closed ended questions. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The results indicated that the sor ghum farmers adopted Samsorg-5, Samsorg-14 and Samsorg-17 improved seeds with Samsorg-5 accounting for 64.6% level of adoption, thus ranking first. The multinomial logit regression model showed that the probability of adopting one or two improved sorghum varieties increased with the farmers’ educational level, sex, farm size and labour usage in the study area. The results further revealed that the average cost of Samsorg seeds was negative and statistically significant at one percent probability level across the groups which implies that the prob ability of adopting any of the improved sorghum varieties reduced with its cost. The results also indicated that Samsorg-5, Samsorg-14 and Samsorg-17 improved seeds positively affected farmer’s production and productivity at 5% levels of probability. This indicated that a percent age increased in the use of these improved seeds led to an increase in the production and productivity of sorghum farmers in the study area. Also, the influence of farm size and fertilizer on output and productivity were positive and statistically significant at 1% levels of probability. The results further revealed that, the topmost constraints faced were inadequate extension services and low level of formal education at 92.1% and 56.7% ranking 1st and 2nd, respectively. Therefore, the study recommended an action-oriented plan to reach the small scale farmers with adequate information on agricultural practices to promote adoption of improved seeds in order to increase their level of productivity. Agricul tural policies should be directed at making inputs available at subsidized rate, on time and at the required level. Credit facilities should be made accessible at single digit interest rate to enable them efficiently utilize inputs in order to increase their productivity level.