ASSESSMENT OF ADOPTION OF IMPROVED TOMATO PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG MEMBERS OF TOMATO FARMERS’ ASSOCIATION IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed the adoption of improved tomato production technologies among members of tomato farmers’ associations in Katsina State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 104 members of tomato farmers’ associations from the study areas. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and a Tobit regression model. The results showed that the respondents had a mean age of 42 years, mean household size of 11 persons, mean farming experience of 11 years and mean farm size of 2 hectares. Majority (98.1%) are males, married (94.2%) with either primary, secondary or tertiary education (66.3%). Family members (99.0%), friends (97.1%), farmers’ groups (91.3%) and tomato farmers’ associations (90.4%) were the major sources of information on improved tomato production technologies. The technologies with adoption scores above the grand mean of 2.64 were the use of organic fertilizer (4.62), seed treatment (4.44), use of improved varieties (4.27), use of herbicides (4.10) and basal NPK fertilizer application (3.52). The Tobit regression model was statistically significant (LR χ² = 34.30; p < 0.001), with age (β = 0.0903, p < 0.10), household size (β = 0.2165, p < 0.05), farming experience (β = −0.2244, p < 0.01), extension agent visits (β = −2.0566, p < 0.05) and access to credit (β = −1.3155, p < 0.10) significantly influencing technology adoption. The major constraints were limited access to credit (3.75), inadequate extension services (3.61), high cost of improved technologies (3.54), inadequate irrigation facilities (3.42), low capacity building (3.30), and pest and disease infestation (3.23). The study concludes that although farmers adopted several improved technologies, the adoption of capital-intensive and knowledge-demanding technologies remained limited. It recommends improved access to affordable agricultural credit, regular farmer training and increased awareness of less adopted technologies to promote sustainable tomato production in Katsina State.