Full Length Research Paper
Abstract
This study was carried out with the aim to find out the level and socio-economic determinants of the adoption of New Rice for Africa (NERICA) using Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State in Nigeria as a case study. One hundred and sixteen rice farmers were randomly selected in this area, twenty eight of which adopted NERICA rice varieties within 2009/2010 cropping season. Information was gathered through the use of well structured questionnaire and personal interview of the farmers. Descriptive statistics, ordinary least-squares (OLS) regression analysis and T-test statistics were used for the analysis of the data collected. It was discovered through the findings that the rate of adoption was 33.36%, while the socio-economic determinants of the adoption of the technologies include farming experience, age of the farmer, frequency of contact with the officials of Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in the state and farm size. Moreover, the findings show that the non-adopters of NERICA technological package had higher average output and average yield than the adopters of the technologies. Lastly, the study gave valuable recommendations which could be helpful toward enhancing improved rate of adoption of NERICA rice technologies by the farmers in the study area.
Key words: New Rice for Africa (NERICA), adoption, rice, socio-economic determinants, technologies.
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