DETERMINANTS OF ADOPTION OF IMPROVED RICE VARIETIES IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Adoption of improved technology is a key factor in raising crop productivity. This study was therefore carried out to determine the major factors influencing the intensity of adoption of improved rice varieties in selected Local Government Areas in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Using a well-structured questionnaire, a two-stage random sampling technique was employed to collect data from 120 rice farming households. Descriptive statistics and the Tobit regression model were the major analytical tools employed for the study. The estimated results showed that the major factors influencing the intensity of adoption of improved rice varieties in the study area include non-farm income which was significant at 10% level of significance, gender of the household head and farm size which were significant at 5% level of significance and access to credit as well as years of experience in rice farming which were significant at 1% level of significance. The study therefore recommends that to increase rice production in Nigeria through adoption of improved rice varieties, credit should be made available to the local rice farmers and dissemination of research outputs should be targeted at the women rice farmers and not just men. Also, Given that high cost of complementary chemical fertilizer was identified as the most important constraints to adoption of improved rice varieties, the government alongside providing improved rice varieties should also ensure that the complimentary inputs are provided to the farmers at subsidized rates.