FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ADOPTION OF AGRICULTURAL INNOVATIONS AMONG COMMUNITY LEADERS AND NON-LEADERS IN EDE NORTH RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA

Abstract

The study investigated leadership and personal characteristics of Community Leaders and non-leaders that influence adoption of agricultural innovations in the study area. Analysis of data collected from 102 leaders and 78 non-leaders in 3 villages in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State showed that age still remains a crucial factor in Local Community Leadership as majority of the leaders were older (Mean age = 45.4 years) than the non-leaders (Mean age 38.7 years). Personal and leadership characteristics which showed significant relationship with adoption among leaders and non-leaders included years of residence (r = 0.312 for leaders and 0.284 for nonleaders); years of schooling (r = 0.197 and 0.266 respectively); cheerfulness (r = 0.296 and 0.385) and consideration (r = 0.514 and 0.531). Programmes of agricultural development involving leadership selection and training and adoption of innovations should therefore take these characteristics into consideration,