Adoption of FARO 39 rice project technology by farmers in Agricultural Zone I, Niger State

Abstract

The study examined the adoption of the Korean International Cooperation Agency (FARO 39) Rice Project Technology by farmers in Agricultural Zone 1 of Niger State, Nigeria. To achieve the study objectives, 206 farmers were randomly selected from two local government areas of Agricultural Zone 1 in the state. Validated interview schedule with reliability coefficient of 0.89 was used for gathering data which were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. The result indicated that the mean age of the farmers was 39 years. Findings also revealed that more than half (63%) of the farmers were aware of all recommended technologies while 40% of the farmers adopted 5 out of the 8 recommended technologies of the rice project. Challenges of adoption of these recommended technologies were technicalities of some of the components of the technology (47.60%) and untimely delivery of improved seed (36.10%). The result further showed that farmers’ educational level (r=0.221), farm size (r=0.264) and extension contact (r=0.206) had significant relationship with the adoption of recommended technologies of the FARO 39 Rice Project. Thus, it was recommended that extension service providers should provide follow-up information to the farmers in order to educate and create awareness on the recommended technological practices. In addition, relevant stakeholders should make adequate and timely backup inputs, such as improved seeds and chemical fertilizer available to the farmers.