Understanding the Nexus of Extension Teaching Methods and Adoption of Improved Agricultural Production Technologies: Empirical Evidence from Cowpea Farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study assessed the nexus of extension teaching methods and the adoption of improved production technologies. A three-staged sampling technique was used in selecting two hundred (200) cowpea farmers. Primary data obtained using the Kobocollect toolbox was analyzed with adoption score/index and ordered probit regression model. Findings from this study showed that 79 % of the respondents were males while 21 % were females. The mean age among cowpea farmers was 49 years. Furthermore, 90.5 % of the respondents adopted the recommended seed rate, 87 % adopted the recommended planting date, and 84.5 % adopted the recommended weeding time. Most (20.5 %) of the respondents had an adoption score and index of 8 and 0.57; while 1.5 % of the cowpea farmers recorded an adoption score and adoption index of 10 and 0.7. Also, 45 % of the cowpea farmers were in the low adoption category, and 27.5 % of each of the sampled cowpea farmers were found in the medium and high adoption category. Individual extension teaching method (β = 1.192), mass extension teaching method (β = -0.189), a combination of individual, group and mass extension teaching methods (β = 0.044), gender (β = -0.124), farming experience (β = -0.019), and income (β = -0.00000276) significantly influenced the extent of adoption of recommended cowpea production practices. The study concluded that individual, and a combination of individual, mass and group extension teaching methods have positive effects on the extent of adoption of recommended cowpea production practices. Amongst others, the study recommended the use of these teaching methods by both private and public extension agents in disseminating information on improved farming practices.