ISSN 2360-798X
Abstract
Accepted 2nd July, 2015
This study was conducted to explore the determinants of adoption of yam minisett technology among yam farmers in the Kintampo North District. It also explored the awareness, the adoption level, reasons for non-adoption by non-adopters and the problems limiting the usage of yam minisett technology by adopters. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 100 respondents from four (4) communities in the study area. Data was collected with the use of structured questionnaire and an interview guide. The study employed descriptive statistics to analyze socio-economic and demographic characteristics, awareness level, level of adoption, the reasons for non-adoption and problems limiting the usage of Yam Minisett Technology. The Probit regression model was used to ascertain the determinants of adoption of yam minisett technology. Results from the study revealed that, the awareness level of yam minisett technology was 28% whiles the percentage of adoption was 12% of the respondents. The major reasons for non-adoption of yam minisett technology were complexity of the technology, smaller tubers produced by the technology making them undesirable for the local market, non-compatibility of the technology with existing farming practices, and inadequate knowledge on the minisett technology. The major problems limiting the usage of the technology by adopters were lack of access to credit, inadequate extension contacts, high cost of labour, and lack of ready market for smaller tubers produced by the minisett technology. The study recommends among other things the need to upgrade the knowledge of farmers on improved techniques of agriculture through market-led extension with the view to improving output and incomes.
Keywords: Determinants of adoption, Yam Minisett Technology, Probit estimates, Market-led extension.