Awareness of Precision Agricultural Technologies among Crop Farmers for Rural Livelihoods’ Enhancement in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the awareness of Precision Agricultural Techniques (PATs) in Ebonyi State. Specifically, the specific objectives were to: ascertain farmers’ awareness of PATs, describe their sources of information on PATs; identify PATs adopted and analyze constraints to adoption of PATs. Four-stage sampling procedure was used for the selection of 120 respondents. Primary data were collected using structured interview schedule, and analyzed with percentages, mean scores and factor analysis. Result showed that awareness of PAT increased for variable rate of fertilizer application ( =3.75), studying weed/pest population ( =3.58), control and use of farm machineries/equipment ( =3.58). Furthermore, radio (63.3%), television (57.5%), extension agents (59.2%) and contact farmers (50.3%) were major sources of information on PAT. Factor analysis results yielded three composite factors that limited adoption decision, all having eigen values above 1; namely: ‘socio-economic’, financial and ‘institutional’ factors. It was concluded that several factors were associated with farmers’ adoption decision of PATs. A concerted effort focusing on addressing the isolated factors by extension organizations is thereby recommended.

Keywords: Awareness, Precision Agriculture, Rural Livelihoods, Factor analysis