Farmers Adoption Level of New Rice for Africa (NERICA) Varieties in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

New Rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties were developed at the Africa Rice Centre (WARDA) in 1990s, based on crossings between African rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud.) and Asian rice (O. sativa L.). Nigeria has been one of the seven West African countries that benefited from multinational NERICA rice disseminated project. The purpose of the study is to examine farmers’ adoption level of NERICA rice varieties in Ekiti State Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting ninety NERICA rice farmers for the study. Data were collected through the use of structured interview schedule and were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression. The result showed that the mean age of farmers is 46 years, implying that they are in their active age. Extension agents (72.0%) were the major sources of information to farmers on NERICA rice varieties. It also revealed that farmers had low adoption index of 23.3% as regards NERICA rice varieties. This means that the NERICA rice varieties have not been highly adopted by majority of the farmers. The study further revealed that years of farming experience were positively significant and influence the adoption of NERICA rice varieties. This implies that, if adoption rate is to be increased, then this variety needs to be disseminated among experienced farmers. The major constraints to the adoption of NERICA rice varieties include pest infestation (x¯ = 1.92), climate change (x¯ = 1.59) and inadequate capital for adopting the technology (x¯ = 1.51). Based on the above findings, efforts should be made by research institutes, extension agents and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in encouraging the farmers in the adoption of this proven rice variety in order to enhance Nigeria’s rice production by minimizing the constraints.