SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS INFLUENCING ACCEPTANCE OF NERICA 1 RICE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG FARMERS IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study analysed socio-economic and institutional factors influencing the acceptance of NERICA 1 rice among farmers in Gombe State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used for the study. Primary data were collected through a well-structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to achieve the objectives of the study. The finding showed that the overall mean age of the respondents was 37.8 years.  Also, about 43% of the respondents had 11-20 years’ experience and majority (81.1%) were members of cooperative. The result of the logit regression estimate showed that age and farm size had a negative and significant influence on the acceptance of NERICA 1 rice at a P≤0.01 level of probability. Farming experience, amount of credit and membership of cooperative had significant and positive (P≤0.01) relationship with the acceptance of NERICA 1 rice. It was concluded that the majority of the respondents were young, male, literate, married, members of cooperative with moderate household size, and low rice farming experienced. Age, farming experience, farm size amount of credit and membership of cooperative were found to have a significant influence on the adoption of NERICA 1 rice. The study recommended that Federal, State, and Local Governments, private sectors, and NGOs should encourage youth to sustain the organizational spirit and create seminars and workshop to stimulate women participation in farming activities.