IMPACT OF INFORMATION ON IMPROVED TECHNOLOGIES ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SMALL-SCALE FARMERS IN KWARA STATE
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Date
2023
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Publisher
Nigerian Journal of Agricultural Economics (NJAE)
Abstract
Low productivity and income of farmers has been ascribed to lack of adequate information and low
utilization of improved technologies among small-scale farmers in Nigeria. Therefore, this study assessed
the impact of information on improved technologies on the productivity of small-scale farmers in Kwara
State. A three-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents. Data were collected
through structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study
showed that the use of extension agents as a source of information on improved technologies was ranked
first (mean= 3.56), and herbicides were found to be the most used among the selected improved
technologies (mean = 3.63). Age, education, farming experience, and membership of a cooperative society
were identified to be positively significant as factors determining the source of information used by farmers
in accessing improved technologies at 5% level. The use of improved technologies had a positive and
significant effect on the productivity of farmers. Inadequate capital (46.7%), illiteracy (35.0%) and poor
access to improved technologies (29.2%) were severe constraints hindering the usage of improved
technologies. Therefore, it is recommended that Agricultural programs should be aired in the local
languages of farmers, for better understanding of information passed on technologies and practices.