The Effect of Root and Tuber Technologies Adoption Among Cooperative Farmers in Imo State Agricultural Development Programme

Abstract

This study set out to examine the effect of root and tuber technologies adoption among cooperative farmers in Imo State ADP. Four specific objectives and hypotheses were examined and tested. Descriptive survey design was adopted. Taro Yamane sampling techniques was used to determine a sample size of 113 from the population of 338. A simple percentage/frequency distribution model and mean model were used to analyze specific objectives while linear regression model was used to test hypotheses 1 and 4 while Pearson correlation model with Z-Test was used to test hypotheses 2–3. Findings revealed that various varieties and technologies promoted in the area by Root and Tuber Extension Programme - ADP were ABANA 85, ADAKA 96 and EKPE 88 for Yam, while TMS 305SS, TMS 30 and TMS 30572 for Cassava. Comparatively the income levels of the farmers after adoption was significantly improved and they expressed satisfaction with the use of RTEP technologies. The study concluded that a significant relationship exists between the level of adoption and the level of awareness of RTEP – ADP Technologies by cooperative farmers and accessibility of RTEP- ADP technologies in the study area put together. Recommendations were made based on findings which include improved farming technologies by ADP should always be made available to the farmers at a far reduced or subsidized costs to encourage more farmers to access it, also adequate information for training on production, processing and marketing of their farm produce should be made available most especially at the farmers' cooperative society level among others.