Technology Attributes Influencing Farmers\' Use Of Nrcri/Iita Improved Gari Frying Equipment In South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

An improved gari frying equipment was developed by National Root Crops Research Institute(NRCRI) Umudike in conjunction with International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan in order to eliminate the drudgeries associated with traditional gari frying method. A study on farmers\' use of the technology showed that several factors influenced the use of the technology among farmers in Southeastern Nigeria. This paper therefore seeks to evaluate influences of attributes of the gari frying equipment on the use of the technology among farmers in Southeastern Nigeria. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit data from 320 farmers in the study area. Data analysis ran with the probit model statistics indicated R2 value of 0.0964 which implies that 9.64% of the total variation in the use of the technology was accounted for by the attributes considered in the study. Attributes such as ‘time saving advantage and ‘similarity with farmers\' own devices had very significant positive influence while on the other hand cost of using the technology as well as hazard associated with technology had significant negative influence on farmers\' use of the technology. It is thus recommend that Governments and nongovernmental organization through granting of soft loans should encourage farmers and farmer groups to own the equipment. This gesture would reduce and enhance use of the technology. Again, the research Institutes (NRCRI and IITA) should seek ways of eliminating the hazards associated with the technology as identified by the farmers. Keywords: Technology, Attributes, Influencing, Improved, EquipmentJournal of Technology and Education in Nigeria Vol. 11 (1) 2006: pp. 74-80