JAFE Vol.  7(1): 47-59, 2020

Adoption of Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) Innovations by Farmers in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria

Urhibo, F.A., Ebewore, S.O. and Ajieh, P.C.

ABSTRACT

The broad objective of the study was to examine adoption of Oil Palm Innovations in Delta and Edo states. The specific objectives were to: determine the socio-economic characteristics that influence adoption of NIFOR oil palm innovations and ascertain the level of adoption of oil palm innovations. Data were collected through structured questionnaire and interview schedule administered on 306 farmers. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 18 extension blocks (3 per zone) for Delta and Edo States followed by random sampling of 306 (30%) farmers from these blocks. Data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, regression, and t-test. The result show that respondents were mostly males (84%), married with average age of 45 years and farming experience of 20 years. Adoption of NIFOR oil palm innovations recommended to farmers was low. The regression analysis identified education, farming experience and farm size as socio-economic characteristics that influenced oil palm innovation adoption. Similarly, Z-test results (P-value 0.99997;Z-cal 3.30529E-05) show that there was no significant difference in farmer’s level of adoption of oil palm innovations between Delta and Edo States. Based on the findings, the study recommends that in designing and generating innovations, agricultural research organizations should beyond efficiencies consider farmers’ perceptions about innovations and provides subsidies to make them affordable to farmers.

Keywords:

Oil Palm, Innovation, Adoption, NIFOR, Delta and Edo States, Nigeria

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