Factors Influencing the Adoption of Orange Fleshed Sweet potato (OFSP) Production among Smallholder Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study aimed to determine the factors that influence the adoption of Orange Fleshed Sweet potato (OFSP) as well as the constraints to non-adoption of (OFSP) varieties among small holder farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from one hundred and twenty (120) sweet potato farmers (sixty adopters and sixty non-adopters each). The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools like, percentage, mean scores and likert scale. The results of the study revealed that larger percent of both adopters and non-adopters of OFSP were males. Also, the majority of adopters had high knowledge, while non-adopters had moderate knowledge of OFSP. The adopters were motivated to adopt the OFSP mainly as a result of its high yield, pleasant taste, nutrient content of the roots, proï¬ t from the sale of OFSP roots and early maturing. The Perceived constraints to the adoption of OFSP by non-adopters were inadequate capital to carry out necessary farm activities, high cost of required inputs (herbicides, Organic fertilizer, and OFSP vines) for OFSP production and difficulty in integrating OFSP production technologies into existing production system. It was recommended that, concerted effort should be made to include OFSP in the mandate of extension workers and provide adequate incentives to them so that they can sensitize farmers on the importance of this crop. Also, farm inputs should be subsidized for farmers in order to promote OFSP production.