EFFECT OF ADOPTION OF IMPROVED COWPEA PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF COWPEA FARMERS IN SHONGOM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This research investigated the effect of adoption of improved cowpea production technologies on farmers’ livelihood in Shongom LGA of Gombe State. The study described the socio-economic characteristics of cowpea farmers, determined the factors influencing adoption of improved cowpea production technologies on income of the farmers, and identified the constraints experienced by farmers in the adoption of improved cowpea technologies. The sample was selected using multistage sampling proceduretoelicit primary datafrom 120 respondents via structured questionnaire which was analyzed using descriptive and regression analysis. Result indicates that most (87%) of the respondents were male; about 71%falls between15-44 years of age. Farmers were mostly married(82%), havingone form of education or the other, and do not belong to cooperative society (55%), with farming experience of 6-10 years. Cowpea farmers were mostly small-scale farmers with fragmented inherited landholding earning N417, 6 averagely annually.Household size, access to seed, yield, improved seed tolerant, farm size and credit were the factors that significantly influenced adoption of improved cowpea production technologies. Thus, farmers with larger landholding are more likely to adopt innovative practices on their farms if they have access to improved seed, expecting higher yield. Constraints impeding adoption of improved cowpea production technologies were; scarcity of improved seed, inadequate storage facilities, pest and diseases attack, poor price of produce and high cost of labour.It is recommended that: farmers should form themselves into cooperative groups to benefit from the advantages of bulk purchase of inputs and market profit, culminating from farmers price control; and government and stakeholders should make availablecreditschemes to empower cowpea farmers considering the importance of cowpea to family livelihoods.