ASSESSMENT OF ADOPTION STAGE OF SOME IMPROVED COWPEA PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG FARMERS IN ADP ZONE-THREE, JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated adoption-stage of some available improved-cowpea production technologies among farmers in ADP Zone-Three, Jigawa State, Nigeria. A sample-unit of 120 respondents was used through a multistage sampling procedure. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Majority were males (91.7%), married (75.0%), with main occupation farming (83.3%). Majority were with secondary education (66.7%), primary education (16.7%) and Islamic education (10.8%) respectively. The mean age of respondents is 34 years, farming experience of 11 years, farm size of 7 hectares, household size of 5 persons and monthly income of N30,673.51k. Greater proportion (93.3%) were none-members of any cooperative group and no presence of extension-services (91.7%). Available technologies were Tilling and Harrowing Machine with Draft Animal, intercropping with cereals like Millet/Maize, Sun drying/Cleaning/Packaging, pre-planting and pre-emergence use of herbicides (92.5%) amongst others. Adoption stage is at a trial stage (=3.953). Major constraints are Lack of Resistant Varieties better then Local Breed, Striga infestation, Insecurity and Inadequate Finance (95.8%) amongst others. The result of the Chi-square analysis showed positive relationship between the educational qualification (0.179), household size (0.281), farming experience (0.277) and average monthly income (0.411) @ p≤0.05. It was concluded that extension services efforts are not felt by the respondents and some important technologies. It was recommended sustained capacity building trainings and more extension services presence be instituted to achieve full adoption.