Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Adoption Among Farmers in Central Agro-ecological Zone of Delta State, Nigeria

The adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) among farmers in Central Agro-ecological Zone of Delta State, Nigeria was assessed. Three hundred and twenty farmers were selected and interviewed with the use of structured interview schedule. The findings revealed that 15:63% of the farmers adopted the technology but extension contact was not encouraging. Result of the probit model analysis showed that marital status, household size, involvement of every household member was the significant demographic factors influencing the use of the innovation. There is therefore the need to embark on aggressive extension campaign for the utilization and popularization of the technology among farmers. Extension agents should select contact farmers from among those that are married, middle-aged, willing to involve all household members in decision making for rapid technology adoption and diffusion. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]