ADOPTION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF IMPROVED RICE VARIETIES IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

In addressing the problem of food insecurity in the country, improved rice varieties were introduced into the country but the adoption rate and productivity of the technologies have not been analyzed in Osun State, Nigeria. This study used a multi-stage sampling technique to select 100 farmers involving adopters and non-adopters of improved rice varieties in the rice growing areas of the State. The results showed that the yield of an average non-adopter was 325.50 kg /ha while that of adopter was 548.80 kg/ ha. Budgetary analysis showed that farm income for an average adopter and non-adopter were N52,000 and N27,000 respectively, the benefit-cost ratio was 1.80 for the former and 1.30 for the later. The Probit model revealed that frequency of extension visits and non-involvement in off-farm enterprises were the significant factors determining the farmers adoption decisions. The study recommended that there is need for great emphasis on the use of extension agents and a critical assessment of farmers operational methods in order to increase production, productivity and farm income in the area.