Vol. 110 No. 1 (2016)
Research Papers

Determinants and the perceived effects of adoption of sustainable improved food crop technologies by smallholder farmers along the value chain in Nigeria

Abiodun Elijah Obayelu
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Nigeria
Bio
Peter Adebola Okuneye
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
Adebayo Musediku Shittu
Federal University of Agric., Abeokuta
Carolyn Afolake Afolami
Federal University of Agric., Abeokuta
Adewale Oladapo Dipeolu
Federal University of Agric., Abeokuta

Published 2016-06-27

How to Cite

Obayelu, A. E., Okuneye, P. A., Shittu, A. M., Afolami, C. A., & Dipeolu, A. O. (2016). Determinants and the perceived effects of adoption of sustainable improved food crop technologies by smallholder farmers along the value chain in Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development (JAEID), 110(1), 155–172. https://doi.org/10.12895/jaeid.20161.436

Abstract

Adoption of improved agricultural technologies is fundamental to transformation of sustainable farming system, and a driving force for increasing agricultural productivity. This study provides empirical evidence on the determinants, and the perceived effects of adoption of improved food crop technologies in Nigeria. It is a cross-sectional survey of available technologies and 1,663 farm households in Nigeria. Data were analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed very low technology adoption index. Available food crop production technologies used by sampled respondents were assessed as effective, appropriate, readily available, affordable, durable, user and gender friendly, with requisite skill to use them. However, processing technologies such as cabinet dryer were observed as unaffordable, not durable, not gender or users friendly. Packaging machines are also not users or gender friendly; washing machine not affordable, durable and gender friendly. Grain processing technologies like De-stoner, grading, and packaging machines are still not locally available and affordable. While parboilers have a negative impact on product quality, farmers’ health and the environment, tomato grinding machines have positive impact on the quality of the product, health of the users, yield and negatively affect the environment. The main determinants of adoption are the crop types, farm size and locations. Adoption of herbicide and inorganic fertilizer were influenced by travel cost to nearest place of acquisition, while the age of farmer has a positive and significant influence on the adoption of pesticide, water management and cassava harvester. Interestingly, male farmers only exhibit greater likelihood of adopting land preparation, inorganic and organic fertilizer technologies compared to their female counterpart. Therefore, policy options that consider all users at the development stages, favour reduction of travel cost, increase farm size are recommended to encourage sustainable adoption of improved food cop technologies.