ABSTRACT
This study analyzed farmers’ perception of the innovation system in oil palm production in the South-east, Nigeria. The study specifically examined key actors in the innovation system, assessed the farmers’ perceived roles of each actor, the level of linkages between and among the key actors; investigated the adoption of various oil palm innovations, among other, Data were collected using structured questionnaire from 300 oil palm farmers. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools such as frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation, Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression model and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for analyses. Results revealed that the innovation system was dominated by oil palm consumers (30%). Research was perceived as the most active actor in the innovation system ( = 4.4; SD = 1.2). The actors maintained strong linkage with one another by collaborating in deciding areas of research ( = 2.9; SD = 1.3). The use of improved seedlings recorded the highest adoption score ( = 4.6; SD = 0.8). Results further showed that affordability, accessibility, usefulness, credibility and simplicity were the major attributes promoting farmers’ adoption of improved seedlings, line spacing, weeding/use of herbicides, mulching, pests and disease control measures, fertilizer application methods and improved harvesting methods in their oil palm production. Radio was the major source of information for majority (83.3%) of the farmers. The oil palm innovation system was perceived to have impacted mostly employment generation ( = 4.1; SD = 1.5). Unavailability of inputs ( = 4.0; SD = 1.0) and inadequate finance ( = 4.0; SD = 0.9) were the most perceived constraining factors to the oil palm innovation system. The socio-economic characteristics of the farmers had a significant relationship (R2 = 0.65) with the level of adoption of the oil palm production technologies. Farmers in the 3 States of the South-east did not differ in their perception of the effects of effective utilization of the actors in oil palm innovation system (F-cal = 2.961; F-tab =2.42, P = 0.30 > 0.05). Farmers in the oil palm innovation system in the three States differed significantly in the perceived roles of the actors towards generating improved technologies (F-cal = 1.99; F-tab = 2.05, P = 0.006 < 0.05). The study concludes that synergy among the actors is imperative for effectiveness in the oil palm innovation system in South-east Nigeria and therefore recommends that marketing information system should be made an integral component of extension service delivery. Oil palm technologies should also be developed in line with identified attributes considered appropriate by the farmers.
Keywords: oil palm, innovation system, actors, extension, agricultural technology, South-east
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract v
Table of contents vi
List of tables x
List of figures xii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study 1
1.2 Statement of the problem 7
1.3 Objectives of the study 12
1.4 Hypotheses of the study 12
1.5 Significance of the study 13 1.6 Scope of the study 14
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Origin, Nature and Composition of Oil Palm 16
2.1.1 Origin and nature of the oil palm 16
2.1.2 Composition of fresh ripe fruit and mesocarp 16
2.2 Oil pam climatic and soil requirements 19
2.3 The role of oil palm in the economy of Nigeria 20
2.4 Expansion and exploitation of oil palm potentials to promote Nigerian
economy 22
2.5 Ways of developing oil palm industry in Nigeria 22
2.6 Innovation diffusion and adoption 28
2.6.1 Innovation 28
2.6.2 Innovation diffusion 30
2.6.3 The concept of adoption 31
2.6.4 Variables that determine the rate of innovation adoption 32
2.6.5 Innovation adoption processes 34
2.6.6 Innovation characteristics that affect adoption 35
2.6.7 Innovation adoption curve 36
2.6.8 Some critical reflections and shortcomings in innovation diffusion
and adoption 39
2.7 Agricultural innovation system 41
2.7.1 Actors of an innovation system 42
2.7.2 Components of an agricultural innovation system 44
2.7.3 Media communication channels used in innovation system 48
2.8 Agricultural research and technology generation 52
2.8.1 Development of agricultural research 52
2.8.2 Agricultural research and technology generating system in Nigeria 54
2.9 Agricultural extension systems 57
2.9.1 Extension linkage 57
2.9.2 Research- extension- farmer linkage 58
2.10 Theoretical framework 60
2.10.1 A linear and “top-down” model of innovation 60
2.10.2 Innovation diffusion theory 62
2.11 Conceptual framework 63
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Area of the study 66
3.2 Sample and sampling 68
3.3.1 Method of data collection 68
3.4 Standardization of research instrument 68
3.4.1 Estimating validity of instrument 68
3.4.2 Estimating reliability 69
3.5 Method of data analysis 69
3.6 Limitations of the study 74
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Socio-economic characteristics 75
4.1.1 Sex 75
4.1.2 Age 76
4.1.3 Marital status 77
4.1.4 Household size 78
4.1.5 Educational level 79
4.1.6 Membership of social organization 80
4.1.7 Major occupation 81
4.1.8 Farm size 82
4.1.9 Monthly income 83
4.1.10 Farming experience 84
4.2 Farmers’ perceived actors in oil palm innovation system 85
4.3 Roles of actors in oil palm innovation system 87
4.4 Linkage between the actors of oil palm innovation system 90
4.5 Information sources 92
4.6 Adoption of oil palm innovation 93
4.7 Innovation attributes influencing adoption 97
4.8 Effectiveness of the oil palm innovation system as perceived by farmers 99
4.9 Farmers’ perceived constraints to oil palm innovation system 101
4.10 Hypotheses of the study 104
4.10.1 Hypothesis 1 104
4.10.2 Hypothesis 2 106
4.10.3 Hypothesis 3 107
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary 109
5.2 Conclusion 110
5.3 Recommendations 111
5.4 Contributions to knowledge 112
REFERENCES 114
APPENDIX 123
