Adoption of Hermetic Bag Technology among Small Holder Cowpea and Maize Farmers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja
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ADOPTION OF HERMETIC BAG TECHNOLOGY AMONG SMALL HOLDER COWPEA AND MAIZE FARMERS IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY (FCT), ABUJA
Chilaka, P.C., Meludu, Nkiru T. and Enwelu, I.A.
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
Email: pc.chilaka@unizik.edu.ng, +2348143517104
Abstract
Huge quantities of harvested grains are stored in traditional ways thereby leading to food losses. Hence the need for technical improvement in grain storage structures. This article exposed quantifiable evidence on the state of adoption of hermetic storage bag technologies. Multi-staged sampling procedure was used and a structured questionnaire on the kobo collect software was used to elicit information from 170 farmers. The study used descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Logit regression model) to analyse the data using STATA version 13.0 software. The study revealed that majority (71%) of the farmers were male, (80.59%) of the farmers were married and the mean age and farming experience were 47 years and 18 years respectively. About (39%) of the farmers attended secondary school education. The mean monthly income was found to be N42, 902.94 while an average of 17 extension contacts per annum were recorded. Among the indigenous systems of storage used are jute sack which had the greatest percentages of usage with (59.41%). On sources of Information available to the farmers, Agricultural Extension Officers (x̅ = 3.40) ranked highest. On the stages of adoption, greater majority (51.8%) of the farmers had adopted the technology. From the regression result, monthly income (0.00003)*, extension contact per annum (0.042)* and educational qualification (0.36)* were only significant at 10% level of probability. Whereas, only sex (-0.33)** was significant at 5% level of probability. The adoption numbers are not all that fantastic considering the percentage of farmers still unaware such a technology exists. The efforts of the agricultural extension officers in collaboration with other agencies and nongovernmental organizations should play a pivotal role in facilitating the rate of adoption.
Keywords: Postharvest losses, Acceptance, utilization, storage bag, and Abuja.
