Cooperative Societies and Adoption of Improved Agricultural Technologies Among FADAMA Rice Farmers in Enugu State.

Abstract

This paper examines cooperative rice farmers and their level of adoption of improved technologies in FADAMA rice farming. The study sought to ascertain the effect of cooperative on adoption levels of improved agricultural technologies among rice farmers in Enugu state. The survey research design was chosen in this research work. The study is made up of all rice farmers’ cooperative societies in Enugu state that participated in FADAMA project. According to State Department of Cooperative, there are 323 registered cooperative societies that participated in FADAMA programme out of which 48 were into rice farming. These 48 FADAMA rice farmers cooperative with membership strength of 964 constitute the population of the study. The sample size was determined through a multi-stage sampling technique. The first Stage involves a purposive selection of two LGAs that are predominantly rural and agrarian from each of the three agricultural zones in Enugu State. Second stage involved random selection of cooperatives in the selected local government area that participated in FADAMA programme.. The third stage involved selecting the cooperative societies that were into rice farming. Therefore, a total of 331 members were selected from 24 rice farmers’ cooperatives who participated in FADAMA programme as sample size. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in achieving the objective of the study. Regression, frequency distribution, percentages and mean score rating were used. Findings indicate that cooperative membership had significant effect on adoption of improved agricultural technologies.