ASSESSMENT OF AWARENESS OF ACHA PRODUCTION AND POST-HARVEST INNOVATIONS AMONG ACHA FARMERS IN NASARAWA AND PLATEAU STATES, NIGERIA
Okeme, S.1, Obinne, C. P. O.2, Age, A. I.2 and Ibrahim, N.B.3
1National Cereals Research Institute, Acha Station, Riyom, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
2Department of Agricultural Extension, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi
3Department of Soil Science, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State
Email: simonokeme5@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The Study was carried out to ascertain the level of awareness of Acha production and Post-harvest innovations in Nasarawa and Plateau States, Nigeria. Data were collected from 232 Acha farmers using multistage sampling technique. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Analytical tools were descriptive statistics. The pooled results revealed that, majority (49.57%, 46.55%, and 56.47%) of the farmers were not aware of tractor mounted truck, fertilizer application and herbicide application respectively. Most (66.81%, 65.52%, 84.49%, 60%, 77%, 70%, 61%, 79%, 75.86%, 83.19%, 80.17%, 76.29%, 84.05%, 75.86%, 82.76% and 73.28%) ofthe farmers were not aware of ploughing, harrowing, ridging, improved planting materials, planting by dibbling, planting by drilling, mechanical threshing, mechanical winnowing, dehulling mechanical dehusking and value addition innovations respectively. Most (67.24%) of the respondents were highly aware of spraying innovations in Acha farming. All (100%) of the farmers were not aware mechanical harvesting, drying and sprinkling innovations in acha production and post-harvest practices. The major (68.10% and 65.52%) sources of information Acha farmers were friends and relatives (68.10%) as well as extension agents (65.52%) respectively. Acha production and post-harvest practices were predominated with manual methods in the study area. A few number of farmers used machine cum manual. It was recommended that extension workers should create more awareness of Acha production and post-harvest innovations. Government and other relevant stakeholders should mechanize acha farming activities and fund their spread through extension services.
Keywords: Awareness, Acha, Production, Post-harvest and Innovations.
