Adoption of modern farming technology and poverty reduction in Nigeria.

Abstract

This study examines the effect of adoption of modern farming technology on poverty reduction among members of farmers’ cooperative societies in Kano State Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. Primary data collection method was used in which self-administered questionnaires were distributed to a total sample of 217 respondents selected from the target population of 498 members of farmers’ multi-purpose cooperative societies. Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression model were used to determine the effect of adoption of modern farming technology on poverty reduction among the respondents. The mean per capita expenditure was used as a dependent variable, while adoption of modern farming technology as the independent variable. The findings indicated that female were more affected by poverty than their male counterparts. Gender was not a significant factor that determined poverty level in this research. Young and middle age were the majority of the respondents and these age groups were more affected by poverty. Age was found as a significant factor that determined poverty level in this research. Majority of the respondents had household size of 7 to above 12, and the respondents with large family size were more affected by poverty than those with small ones. The household size was found as a significant factor that determined poverty level in this research. Majority of the respondents had low educational qualifications, and the respondents with low educational qualifications were more affected by poverty than those with higher educational qualifications. The educational qualification was found as a significant factor that determined poverty level in this research. The study found that majority of the members of farmers’ cooperative societies in this research reported the technologies were not affordable to them, and they did not apply the technologies to their farming activities. Further analysis employing correlation and logistic regression showed that adoption of modern farming technology was not statistically significant factor in reducing poverty level among members of farmers’ cooperative societies in this research. Hence, this study recommended that the modern farming technology should be affordable to many farmers so that their productivities increase in order to reduce their poverty level.