Determinants of the Adoption of System Rice Intensification Innovative Practices among Smallholder Farmers in North-West, Nigeria

Abstract

Rice production need considerable focus in a country like Nigeria and its region where the production is enormous due its impacts on smallholders’ income and food security. To cope with water shortage an alternative irrigation technology (SRI) evolved with efficient water usage and increased yield. The study examined the determinants of adoption of system of rice intensification innovation practices among smallholder farmers in North-west, Nigeria. A sample unit of 315 respondents was selected for the study through a 3-stage sampling procedure. The data were collected with the aid of questionnaire and interview schedule and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The main sources of knowledge on SRI practices are fellow farmers (45.3%), field demonstration (16.2%) and contact farmers (11.7%) among others. The most effective sources of knowledge in promoting SRI adoption among adopters and none adopters are contact farmers (-1.982, p=0.48), fellow farmers (-3.044, p=0.03), NGOs activities (-2.717, p=0.07) and farmers’ association (-5.484, p=0.000). The factors influencing adoption are awareness (β=44.569), constraints (β=22.946), educational level (β=0.465), access to loan (β=22.396) and extension visit (β=3.332). Most of the constraints examined were severe except for none-availability of organic manure for usage (=3.70±1.50), expensive farm input requirement (=3.45±1.60), inadequate funds to practice the SRI method (=3.56±1.58) and the equipment are not available or too expensive to practice SRI innovation into practice (=3.53±1.58). The study concluded that factors influencing adoption are awareness, constraints, educational level, access to loan and extension visit. It was recommended that main source(s) of knowledge including the weaker ones be enhanced and promoted to assist the adoption rate, persuasion of none adopters too to adopters, capacity building periodic supports, favorable factors of adoption be supported and sustainable solutions proffered to severe constraints to SRI innovation adoption.