Are the Farmers Financially Ready to Adopt Hydroponic Farming for Green Bell-pepper Cultivation in Nigeria

This study examined farmers' willingness and financial factors influencing the adoption of the hydroponic system of bell pepper cultivation in Imo State, Nigeria. Using a multi-stage sampling approach, 246 pepper farmers were selected from a population of 667 farmers across the three agricultural zones using the Yamane’s formula alongside the probability proportional to size (PPS). The data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire, which was further analyzed using descriptive statistics and the ordered probit model. The results showed that a total of twenty farmers (8.13%) reported that they were not willing at all to adopt the hydroponic system; 11.79% of the farmers indicated that they were only slightly willing to adopt the system; 23.58% of the pepper farmers were neutral, while 50% of the farmers were either willing or eager to adopt hydroponic farming for pepper production in Imo State. The results from the ordered probit regression demonstrated that the age of respondents, annual income, perceived cost of hydroponics, farming experience, perceived costs of inputs, expected return on investment, and savings levels were the variables that significantly influenced the willingness of pepper farmers in Imo State to adopt hydroponics farming for green pepper production. The study recommends the relevant stakeholders should prioritize subsidizing hydroponic inputs and also provide customized funding packages for new and seasoned pepper farmers, given that farmers' revenue, expenditures, and projected returns were among the most significant factors influencing their readiness to embrace the smart farming innovation.