Determinants of YMT utilization by farmers in NorthCentral Nigeria

Abstract

Scarcity of seed-yams has drastically reduced yam production in Nigeria. For this reason, Yam Minisett
Technology (YMT) was developed and disseminated to farmers. This study investigated the determinants of
YMT utilisation by farmers in north-central Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used; Benue, Kogi,
Kwara and FCT were randomly selected from north-central Nigeria. Fifty percent of ADP zones, blocks and cells
were randomly selected to obtain 220 respondents used for the study. Data was collected using structured
interview schedule and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Respondents’ mean age,
household size, farming experience and farm size were 47.5±5.7 years, 5.2±1.6, 12.0±6.6 years and 1.4±0.6ha
respectively. Majority of the respondents were male (84.1%), married (86.8%), secondary occupation (55.0%),
scattered plots (74.1%), no formal education (58.6%), membership of farmers’ association (58.4%) and all
acquired land through inheritance. Utilisation of YMT was significantly related to respondents’ age (r=-0.65),
farming experience (r=-0.64), annual income (r=-0.57) and household size (r=-0.41). Utilisation of YMT was
significantly increased by formal education (β=0.29) and secondary occupation (β=0.22) but significantly
reduced with extension visits (β=-0.25) and age (β=-0.12). There were significant difference in YMT utilisation
(F=4.059) across states. Improved extension services and membership of farmers association were
recommended.