Socioeconomic Drivers of Agricultural Technology Adoption among Arable Crop Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT: Agricultural technology adoption is widely recognized as a key driver of agricultural productivity, rural livelihoods, and food security. However, the adoption of improved agricultural technologies among arable crop farmers in Nigeria remains below expectations due to several socioeconomic constraints. This study examined the socioeconomic determinants of agricultural technology adoption among arable crop farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 120 arable crop farmers, and primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that the respondents had a mean age of 48 years, indicating that most farmers were in their economically active years. Majority (65.83%) were male, 45.00% were married, and 36.67% had no formal education. The mean farm size was 8.1 hectares, while the average household size was six persons. Regression results showed that age (β = 0.0256, p < 0.01), household size (β = 0.0012, p < 0.01), educational status (β = 0.0027, p < 0.05), farming experience (β = 0.1063, p < 0.05), farm income (β = 0.1165, p < 0.05), farm size (β = 0.0341, p < 0.10), and farmers' contact with agricultural information sources (β = 0.7200, p < 0.01) positively and significantly influenced agricultural technology adoption. Conversely, marital status, religion, and contact with extension agents had no significant influence on adoption. The study concludes that socioeconomic factors play a critical role in shaping agricultural technology adoption among arable crop farmers in Oyo State. It recommends strengthening farmers' access to education, affordable credit, agricultural information, and effective extension services to enhance technology adoption, increase productivity, and promote sustainable agricultural development. Keywords: Agricultural technology adoption; Arable crop farmers; Socioeconomic determinants; Multiple regression; Oyo State; Nigeria.