FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ADOPTION OF IMPROVED RICE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES IN WESTERN ZONE, BAUCHI STATE NIGERIA

The study examined the factors influencing the adoption of recommended rice production technologies in Western Agricultural Zone of Bauchi State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling techniques was used in selecting 202 respondents for the study. Data were obtained through the administration of structured questionnaires and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that majority (70.3%, 68.8%, and 62.4%) of the respondents were male, married and had attended post-secondary school level of education, respectively, Also majority (86.1%, 84.7%, 76.7%, 67.8% and 54.5%) of the respondents had extension contacts, were members of association, aware of recommended technologies, with access to extension and had extension contact quarterly, respectively. The findings further shows that majority (62.3%, 58.9%, and 57.9%) of the respondents were within the ages of 23-38 years, had 4-9 persons in their households and an estimated income of ₦100,000-₦300,000, respectively. In addition, Half (50.1%) of the respondents had 1.2ha of farm land. The result further reveals that sex (2.388), membership of association (2.351), years of membership (2.533) and awareness of technologies (2.583) were positive and significant (P<0.05), while educational level (-2.517) was negative and significant (P<0.05) in influencing technology adoption among respondents in the study area. The findings revealed that lack of technical skills (92.1%), high cost of technology (82.2%) and inadequate credit facilities (36.1%) were the major constraints to adoption of technology and were ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. The study concluded that sex, membership of association, awareness and years of membership in association were the factors influencing the adoption of rice production technologies in the study area. Based on the constraints highlighted it is recommended that farmers association should hire extension to train respondents on the new technologies and also associations should help in acquiring inputs and the recommended technologies to their members at a subsidized rates.