FACTORS AFFECTING THE ADOPTION OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION PACKAGES IN JERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT The study was carried out to examine the factors affecting the adoption of agricultural extension package in Jere local Government area, Borno State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were se determine the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers; identify the factors responsible for the adoption of the agricultural extension technology, identify the level of income of the farmer on the adoption of innovation, and determine the problem bedeviling the farmers on the adoption of the innovation in the study area. Data were collected through primary source by administering questionnaires to 50 respondents and random sampling techniques were employed in selecting the respondents and analyses using descriptive statistical tools, frequency (1) distribution and percentage (%). The result showed that majority of the respondents indicated that farmers with 72%, 40% were the ages of 31 and 40 years, 68% farmers are married and number of household ranging between 6 and 10 persons indicated 44%, 32% of the farmers had Qur'anic education. Major factors responsible for as indicated by respondent the size of farm where farmers with farm size of 1-5 hectare(s) of land indicating 56%, 48% of the farmers used family labour, only 32% of the farmers have farming experience of 6-10 years, 32% of farmers produce cereal crops for 11-20 years and 96% used mixed cropping system. Major sources of respondents indicated 60% farmers being self-employed, 44% got assistance from co-operative societies and not from the government, and 52% of farmers had start up capitals of between 1000-5000naira, 48% organic fertilizer. The respondents indicated that major problems of the farmers are either lacking visits by Extension Agents (40% of farmers) or having no contacts with Extension Agents (96% of fanners). The study has shown that gender, age, marital status, household size, education and part or full time farming plays an important role in the adoption of agricultural innovations. On the other hand size of land cultivated, type of fertilizer used, type of crop produced, years of farming experience, sources of income and problems of farmers such as lack of extension agent(s) and contact with extension agent(s) were related to the agricultural extension innovation adoption. This if not properly harnessed could lead to increase in poverty, reduce food security (food insecurity), reduce productivity and reduce living standard of the society.