THE DIFFUSION AND ADOPTION OF RECOMMENDED AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AMONG FARMERS IN THE NORTHERN STATES OF NIGERIA

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Date
1981
Authors
AROKOYO, JOHNSON OLATUNJI
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Abstract
THE DIFFUSION AND ADOPTION OF RECOMMENDED AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AMONG FARMERS IN THE NORTHERN STATES OF NIGERIA Johnson Olatunji Arokoyo Under the Supervision of Professor Walter T. Bjoraker Problem and Purpose Nigeria has been experiencing a serious decline in agricultural production since the early 1970s despite great advances in agricultural research, mainly because of the slow adoption of recommended farm practices by the country's estimated 13 million peasant farmers. The purpose of the study was to determine the Nigerian farmers' awareness and application knowledge of recommended agricultural practices and what major factors influence their adoption of such practices. Methodology Data were collected from 205 randomly selected farmers in the northern states of Nigeria using a pretested, structured interview schedule. Five hypotheses guided the analysis of the data. Data analysis employed frequency distributions, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and a stepwise multiple regression analysis. Findings Farmers were characterized by some degree of awareness and adoption, and partial application knowledge of recommended practices. The most important sources of agricultural information were the extension agent, the agricultural shows and result demonstrations, the radio and other farmers. Although the farmers did not perceive the recommended agricultural practices as highly relevant to their situations, they nevertheless perceived themselves as substantially involved in extension programming. The major reasons hindering their adoption were: lack of capital, credit and labor; unavailability of inputs and lack of sufficient information and application knowledge. The major reasons motivating adoption included: the desire to improve production and standard of living and the availability of inputs, subsidies and incentives. The variable most highly predictive of adoption was awareness of recommended practices. There is need for a more efficient system of procurement and distribution of inputs. The government should also provide adequate credit facilities and improve the tractor hiring services. The "research people" should interact more with the farmers, opening the way more for a two-way communication system and laying the foundation for a more humanistic extension philosophy. APPROVED BY. DATE
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY CONTINUING AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION (EXTENSION) at the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON 1981
Keywords
DIFFUSION,, ADOPTION,, RECOMMENDED,ERIA, AGRICULTURAL,, PRACTICES,, AMONG,, FARMERS,, NORTHERN,, STATES,, NIGERIA
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