Factors influencing adoption of rubber-based techniques among small-holder farmers in Delta State, Nigeria

Despite the newly developed technologies that could enhance rubber production in Nigeria, the level of production has not increased significantly. The study investigated factors affecting adoption of new improved technologies by small-holder rubber farmers in Delta State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study include determining socio-economic characteristics of rubber farmers, examining socio-economic factors affecting adoption of newly developed rubber technologies by respondents among others. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 280 farmers for the study. A pre-tested and validated structured questionnaire was administered on the farmers. Descriptive statistics, stepwise regressions and logistic regression were used to analyze the collected information. The results revealed that most of the farmers cultivated 0.1-5.99 hectares and they have access to the improved technologies. The multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that farm distance, source of finance, land tenure, farming experience and social status were significant factors affecting adoption of RRIN developed technologies. Logistic regression model also revealed that credit facilities, extension contact and availability of information were significant factors that determine the probability of adoption. It is important that efforts should be made to provide credit facilities to empower the farmers so that they can acquire inputs required to enhance adoption of new technologies while an effective extension system should also be developed to promote transfer of new technologies in the rubber producing areas of Nigeria.