Assessing the socioeconomic factors influencing oil palm processors’ use of improved processing technologies in Ogbomosho agricultural zone

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) processing is characterised by low productivity, which can be increased through the adoption of new technology. Several studies have been conducted on the use of improved processing technologies among oil palm processors to increase productivity. However, there is a dearth of knowledge on the socioeconomic factors influencing oil palm processors’ use of improved processing technology. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the socioeconomic factors influencing oil palm processors’ use of improved processing technologies in Ogbomoso agricultural zone. A multistage sampling process was used to select 90 oil palm processors in the study area. The primary data for the study were collected using a well-structured questionnaire and were analysed using descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model. The results showed that 62.2% of the processors were female and 94.2% were married. The average age of the respondents was 51, and they came from households with an average of seven members. The results further showed that the majority of the processors are aware of some improved technologies being used in oil palm processing: 67.8% of the processors used the thresher, 63.3% used the sterilizer, and 54.4% used the digester. The logistic regression estimate indicated that age, gender, number of years spent in processing, quantity per annum and extension visits were significant socioeconomic factors influencing oil palm processors’ use of improved processing technology. Based on these findings, the study suggests that providing oil palm processors with more extension services will help boost their processing operations by utilizing a variety of improved technology.