Level of Utilization of Agritech Services by Rice Farmers in Niger State, Nigeria

Özet

The integration of technology into agriculture has significantly transformed farming practices. However, many farmers still rely on traditional methods, limiting their productivity. This study assesses the level of utilization of agritech services by rice farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 120 respondents from three local government areas. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and chi-square tests. Findings revealed farming experience had a significant positive correlation with the level of agritech utilization (r = 0.303, p = 0.001). The chi-square analysis indicated a significant association between gender and agritech utilization (χ² = 4.335, p = 0.037), with male farmers demonstrating a higher level of adoption compared to female farmers. The study highlights the need for targeted awareness campaigns and institutional support to enhance agritech adoption, particularly among female and less-experienced farmers, to improve agricultural productivity.