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