Adoption of Rice Technologies Introduced by the United States Agency for International Development in Anambra and Ebonyi States, Nigeria

The study determined the levels of adoption of improved rice technologies introduced by USAID MARKETS project phase one in Anambra and Ebonyi States, Nigeria. The population of the study included all project participant rice farmers of USAID MARKETS project in both Anambra and Ebonyi States. A total sample of 80 respondents (40 project farmers from each state) were selected using purposive and simple random sampling techniques. An interview schedule was used for data collection, while percentage and mean statistics were used to analyze data. The results of the study revealed that mean ages of the project farmers (PFs) was 46.56years while 86% of the PFs were literate and the mean rice farming experience was 22 years. The mean total rice farm land owned by PFs was 2.99 hectares mainly on rented basis, while majority got information on rice production and processing from the project. The project farmers highly adopted the following innovations; use of FARO 44 seed variety, carrying out a seed germination test before planting, carrying out appropriate land preparation using either manual or machinery (tractor), seed broadcasting on wet field and upland rice, use of herbicide and storage of paddy produce (packing bagged rice grains in cool dry, fumigated and aerated conditions).