ADOPTION OF IMPROVED SOYBEAN PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Lack of appropriate technologies uptake among small scale farmers have always led to low productivity. This study examined the adoption of improved soybean production technologies by farmers in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Data for the study were collected through the use of structured questionnaires from purposive randomly selected sample of 73 soybeans farmers. Descriptive statistics and Tobit regression model were used to analyze the data. The mean age of soybeans farmers was 41 years with an average farm experience of 17 years; access to credit and extension contact were relatively low. Tobit analysis results shows that household size, education, experience, membership of association, extension contact and output significantly affected farmers’ decision to adopt improved soybean production technologies. The major constraints identified were costly technologies and lack of extension services. It was therefore recommended that farmers should make their cooperative societies more viable, strong and proactive so that their resources could be harnessed and adequately utilized for higher productivity.