Adoption of sawah eco-technology in rice production by farm households in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

AbstractThis study examined factors influencing the adoption of sawah technology in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Sawah refers to levelled rice field surrounded by banks with inlet and outlet for irrigation and drainage. Using pre-tested interview guide, data were collected from 300 sawah farmers in the study area. Data collected were analysed with both descriptive and inferential statistics using STATA package. The results showed that respondents were predominantly male, married and had no formal education. The mean age of was 48.13 years with mean household size of 14 persons; farm sizes ranged from 1–50 hectares with average of 4.70 ha, the mean yield was 6.88 tꞏha−1. The results further showed that bond construction had 100% adoption, nursery 99%, puddling 98%, flooding 95%, leveling and smoothening 94% and power tiller use 88% adoption. Adoption of sawah technology was influenced by socio economic characteristics which include sex, age, educational level, farm size, yield and income of the farmers. The study also showed that the attributes of sawah, production factors, information and extension and perception of respondent toward sawah technology influenced adoption. It is concluded that the sawah eco-technology is widely adopted by rice farmers in Kebbi State. The study therefore recommended that dissemination of sawah to other states in Nigeria need to consider factors that promote its adoption. Improvement of those factors that significantly affect adoption of sawah technology is also recommended.