LEVEL OF ADOPTION OF IMPROVED POST-HARVEST TECHNOLOGIES FOR RICE PROCESSING AMONG WOMEN RICE PROCESSORS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the level of adoption of improved post-harvest technologies for rice processing among women rice processors in Niger State, Nigeria. Multi-stage purposive and random sampling procedures were adopted in selecting 424 women rice processors for the study. Data were collected through questionnaire and focus group discussion and analysed using frequency, percentage, mean, ranking and standard deviation. The mean ages and household sizes of the adopters and non-adopters were 36 and 41 years, and 6 to 7 persons per household, respectively. The results also revealed that majority (86% and 98%) had gone through different educational courses. Most (97% and 93%) and majority (86%) had mean scores of 2.925, 2.901, and 2.778 for using false bottom for rice steaming, packaging materials and rice mill technologies while 34% and 20% had primary school certificates, with a mean 9 and 7 years of rice processing experience and 5 and 3 years of membership in cooperative societies, respectively. A significant proportion of 64% and 50% received credits of ₦200000-299000 and ₦100000-199000, with mean values of ₦200605 and ₦92357.14. Additionally, mean scores of 3.156, 2.778, 2.925, and 2.901 were recorded for various technologies, indicating a high level of adoption. The results further revealed that experience in rice processing and household size were significant (P<0.01) in influencing the level of adoption of IPhTRP. Also, contact with extension agents and access to market were significant (P<0.05) in influencing the level of adoption of IPhTRP. However, several key issues: inadequate funding, perceived ineffectiveness of the technology, and low demand for processed rice, all of which hinder adoption. The Study concluded that experience in rice processing, household size, extension contact and access to the market were the significant factors influencing the level of adoption of IPhTRP. It also resulted in advanced skills, the drivers of rice processing quality, increased income, changes in spending habits, and reduced physical exertion of the women rice processors. The study recommends that both government and non-governmental organisations train women rice processors, ensure fair paddy prices, establish a stable market for processed rice, and provide ongoing support through extension agents.