Enhancing Natural Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) Technology Transfer through On-Farm Adaptive Research ( OFAR) and Farmers Field days in the Rubber Belt of Nigeria

Abstract

Enhancing natural rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell Arg) through On-Farm Adaptive Research (OFAR) and farmers Field days in the rubber belt of Nigeria was studied by selecting 146 contact rubber farmers through a simple random sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi – square). Results indicate that all of the farmers were literate and had one form of formal education or the other. Majority of farmers (82.98%) cultivated between ?2.4 to 7.99 with a mean of 2.50 hectares. Farmers’ awareness on technology transfer methods was high. Rubber intercropping combinations were with cassava (27.3%); maize (27.3%), plantain (23.2%), cowpea and yam (27.3%). Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) and Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) were indicated by 36.9% and 17.1% respectively as sources of awareness on
technology transfer activities. Chi- square analysis reveals that awareness (?2 =23.08), attendance at farmers’ field days (?2 = 28.09), education (?2=29.6), OFAR activities (?2=5.6) and farm size (?2=4.07) were statistically significant with the adoption of improved farm practices. It is thus recommended that technology transfer activities be sustained through increased funding of research and the resuscitation of the presidential initiative on natural rubber production to enhance natural rubber technology adoption by rubber farmers