ABSTRACT

The study investigated the adoption potentials of IITA Black Sigatoka Resistant Hybrid Plantains (PITA-- 14) in South Eastern, Nigeria. The major objective was to ascertain thc status and adoption potentials of the hybrid iii the study area. Nine villages located in 3 blocks, comprising oRsixstates were purposefully selected. This was because on—farm trial of ilie hybrid was conducted on 36 contact farmers' plot in SPAT. Fifty-three farmers 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 I IFA H ighrainfall 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 frill-time farmers, 88.68% belonged to farmers' associations while 83.02% had relationship with research/extension. Results further indicated that 11.32% of the respondents were high adopters of the hybrid plantiin, while 88.68% were lo\v adopters. The niaor reasons for adopting were the hybrids' l)otential for providing food, it compatibility with the existing local breeds as well as such inherent attributes like earliness, disease resistance, drought tolerance among others. The diffusion rate was 32.08%. The regression analysis, revealed that education, frequency of research/extension contact and farm size were significant and positive to the adoption level of the hybrid plantain. The 1—test comparative analysis result, showed no significant di fferencc in preference between the attributes of the hybrid and local type because i 0.747 < Ih 2.764. The adoption constraints include: poor/Iov 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 palatability 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 life. R ipening should be c ontrolled through breeding technology. Farmers should further be educated through NGOs and LGAs. Research/Extension contact should be strengthened through adequate funding of the Research-Extension-Farmers-Input-Linkage-System (REFILS) by the government. The hybrid s hould b e diffused to t he s ub h umid z ones, s ince it i s dl rought tolerant. Increased awareness should be created since the technology is still iii SPAT.