Utilization of Improved Bambara Nut (Vigna Subterranea) Production Technologies by Farmers in Nsukka Agricultural Zone, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyzed the utilization of improved bambara nut (vigna subterranea) production technologies by farmers in Nsukka Agricultural Zone, Enugu State, Nigeria. A multi-staged sampling procedure was used in selecting 120 bambara nut farmers that participated in the study and structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from them. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analyzing the data. Major results showed that majority (80%) of the respondents got their agricultural information from friends and fellow farmers, while less than 40% of the respondents had direct contact with extension workers. About six different bambara nut production technologies were disseminated to farmers. However, the extent of utilization of the technologies was very low as the mean scores of all the production technologies fell below the bench mark of 2.50 on a 4-point Likert-type scale and the grand mean score of 1.88. Furthermore, the result showed that the output mean of bambara nut per annum was 462.8 kg which was low. The hypothesis results also showed that there was no significant relationship between farmers’ extent of use of bambara nut production technologies and output of farmers in the area. The study concluded that farmers’ extent of utilization of the improved bambara nut production technologies was very low probably resulting to low bambara nut output per annum. Therefore, Extension should repackage the production technologies to meet the felt needs of bambara nut farmers thereby increasing the extent of utilization of the improved technologies for increased output.