INFLUENCE OF EXTENSION COMMUNICATION ON CASSAVA FARMERS’ ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES IN OBUDU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF CROSS RIVER STATE – NIGERIA

¹Adie, U.B. ²Ayi. N.A.  ³Ujong O.O.

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension,

Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Calabar – Obubra.

E-mail address: adieubi67@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This study analyze the influence of extension communication on cassava farmers’ adoption of sustainable Agricultural Technologies in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State – Nigeria.  In recent times, issues of sustainability and natural resources conservation and management have been emphasized globally, and Nigeria has not been an exception.  These issues are of importance in Nigeria’s agricultural sector development.

The specific objectives were to identify the sustainable agricultural technologies and existing extension communication channels, and how it will provide cassava farmers the necessary information and techniques for sustainable agriculture.  The study made use of 100 cassava farmers that were randomly selected from 10 communities in the study area to provide data through the use of structural questionnaire.  Data were analyzed using simple frequency square statistics.  The study revealed that in the study area (Obudu local government area) mixed cropping and organic agriculture, contact with neighbors/family and television has a positive influence on cassava farmers’ adoption of technologies.  The result equally reveals from the analysis that the calculated x² value was greater than the critical value at the degree of 2 and at 0.5 level of statically significance.

Therefore it means the null hypothesis was rejected, meaning that there was a positive significant relationship between channels of communication and adopted technologies.

It is therefore recommended that farmers’ experiences and indigenous knowledge should be harnessed through participatory extension for a sustainable agricultural development.

Keywords: Adoption, Technologies, Sustainability, Communication.