Adoption of varietal and accompanying groundnut technologies in Sokoto and Kebbi States of Northwestern Nigeria

Summary

The most recent improved groundnut varieties available to farmers in Nigeria are SAMNUT 23, SAMNUT 24, SAMNUT 25, and SAMNUT 26. Amongst other things, this paper summarises the outcomes of an adoption survey of these varieties in Sokoto and Kebbi States, located in north western Nigeria. A total of 110 respondents were selected from administrative units where a donor-funded project is being executed (coded herein as PLGA) and 110 from administrative units where project actions are absent (coded herein as NPLGA). The survey reveals that improved groundnut varieties are being grown amidst several other varieties designated as local. While SAMNUT 24 is being grown by 39% of respondents in PLGA and 19% of those in NPLGA, Kampala (a local groundnut variety) is being planted by 35% and 40% of respondents in PLGA and NPLGA, respectively. Farming experience, level of education and household size were found to influence household decisions to adopt groundnut varietal technologies and accompanying crop management practices at 1%, 5% and 10% levels of significance. Gross Profit Margins in PLGA and NPLGA were 66,854 Naira (or USD 219) and 23,744 Naira (or USD 78), respectively, indicating that smallholder farmers could make nearly 64% additional cash by adopting improved groundnut technologies.