The Influence of Sources of Information on Adoption of Rice Production Technologies by Farmers in Borno State, Nigeria

The study analysed the influence of sources of information on adoption of rice production technologies in Borno State, Nigeria. Stratified random sampling method was used to select 534 respondents representing upland, lowland and Fadama rice farmers in the study area. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The descriptive tools include; frequencies, percentages, Means, and standard deviation. Inferential statistics such as multiple correlation analysis was used to show the degree of relationship between variables. The result indicated that most (40.4%) of the respondents had agricultural extension agents as their main sources of improved rice production technology. This was followed by radio and television, (29%) as the respondents' sources of information on improved rice production technologies. Respondents who were aware of the rice technologies but did not try constitutes a mean of 13% and standard deviation of 3, while respondents that were aware of rice technology and tried it had a mean of 47% with standard deviation of 5.9. The study revealed that 45.3% of the respondents had adoption score of 4.50 and classified as medium adopters. Multiple correlation analysis showed that there was significant relationship between some of the information sources used by the respondents and adoption of rice production technologies promoted by Borno State Agricultural Development Programme. The study recommends that extension agencies should be strengthened in their efforts to create more awareness among farmers on the need to adopt the entire rice production technology package for maximum benefit.