Adoption of Soybean Products in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Soybean products are important in the household nutrition programme because of their high protein content and their affordability. The objectives of this study include examining adoption of soybean products in Owerri North local government area of Imo State, Nigeria, describing the socio-economic characteristics of respondents in the study area and determining the relationship between adoption and socio-economic characteristics of respondents. Thirty randomly selected respondents who were administered with structured questionnaire using interview schedule were involved in this study. Data analysis was by use of frequency, percentage and chi square. Finding of the study revealed that adoption of soybean products was high as respondents (57%) utilized soybean products three times a week. Findings further revealed that 33.3% of the respondents were between 41 and 50 years old, 40% had household size of between 3 and 6 members. The study revealed that majority of the respondents were females, were married and were farmers. The chi square results showed that household size, education, gender and marital status significantly influenced adoption of soybean products. Based on the findings of the study it is recommended that Agricultural extension agents, especially Home economics extensionists should intensify efforts to teach rural women and others the proper production methods of the various soybean products especially soymilk which did not record high adoption. Keywords: adoption, Imo State, Owerri North, Nigeria, soybean products Agrosearch Vol. 7 (1&2) 2005: pp. 22-27