ADOPTION OF IMPROVED TECHNOLOGIES BY OIL PALM FRESH FRUIT BUNCH PROCESSORS

ABSTRACT

This study focused on the adoption of improved technologies by oil palm fresh fruit bunch processors in Agbor Delta state, Nigeria. The research examined socioeconomic characteristics of oil palm fruit processors in the study area;the level of awareness of the improved oil palm fruit processing technology in the study area;the level of rating of innovative characteristics by respondents; the level of adoption of the improved oil palm fruit processing technology in the study area; factors influencing the adoption of improved oil palm fruits processing technology in the study area and the constraints encountered by oil palm fruit processors in the study area. A multi-stage sampling procedure was carried out in selecting the respondents for the study, a sample size of 125 family farmers in the Local Government Area. Results from the study revealed that most of the respondents were male (56.8%) with mean age of 48 years. Respondents had a mean household size of 7 persons with mean farming experience of 14 years. Majority of the respondents (87.2%) were married. 85.6% of the respondents are Christians while 56.8% the respondents had secondary school level of education. Majority of the respondents (51.2%) were solely into farming as an occupation. Annual mean income of farmers was N800,129.75. income from oil processors was N419,359. Majority of the respondents (32.8%) were in the third position in their families. Also the study showed that 92.8% were aware of new improved technologies for oil palm processing and the majority (69.6%) grot this information from family and friends but only 23.2 % made a form of attempt towards adoption. The study concluded the respondents in the study area are aware of most of the innovation technologies of oil palm fresh fruit bunch processing. The respondents still make use of traditional processing methods in the processing of oil palm.