ABSTRACT

 The study investigated die adoption potentials of IITA Black Sigatoka Resistant Hybrid Plantains (PITA 14) in South Eastern, Nigeria. The major objective was to ascertain (lie status and adoption potentials of the hybrid in the study area. Nine villages located in 3 blocks, comprising of six slates were purposefully selected. This was because on-farm trial of the hybrid was conducted on 36 contact farmers’ plot in SPAT. Fifty-three fanners were sampled for the study. Primary and secondary data were used in accomplishing the research study. Primary data were obtained from responses in the pre-tested structured interview schedule administered on the 53 respondents, whereas secondary data were sourced from IITA I lighrainfall Station Onne, texts, journals and other periodicals. Results revealed that respondents’ average age was 55.5 years. However, 77.36% had formal education, 66.04% were full-time farmers, 88.68% belonged to farmers’ associations while 83.02% had relationship with research/cxtension. Results further indicated that 11.32% of the respondents were high adopters of the hybrid plantain, while 88.68% were low adopters. The major reasons for adopting were the hybrids’ potential for providing food, it compatibility with the existing local breeds as well as such inherent attributes like carlincss, disease resistance, drought tolerance among others. The diffusion rate was 32.08%. The regression analysis, revealed that education, frequency of rcscarch/extcnsion contact and farm size were significant and positive to the adoption level of the hybrid plantain. The t-test comparative analysis result, showed no significant difference in preference between the attributes of the hybrid and local type because tc;ii 0.747 < th,i, 2.764. The adoption constraints include: poor/low market price (56.60%); storage losses (30.19%); high cost of fertilizer (28.30%); lack of incentives (26.42%) and inadequate monitoring (15.09%). On the bases of these findings, it was recommended that payability should be improved upon by developing varieties, which will suit the peoples’ taste. Farmers should be taught the various methods of controlling ripening to p rolong shelf 1 ife. R ipening should b e controlled through breeding technology. Farmers should further be educated through NGOs and LGAs. Rescarch/Extcnsion contact should be strengthened through adequate funding of the Rcscarch-Extcnsion-Farmcrs-Input-Linkage-Systcm (REFILS) by the government. The hybrid s hould bed iffused t o t he s ub h timid z ones, s ince i t i s d rought t olerant. Increased awareness should be created since the technology is still in SPAT.