Socio-economic, Institutional and Technological Determinants of Adoption of Recommended Melon (Citrullus lanatus) Production Practice and their Effects on Farmers’ Productivity and Income in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the determinants and effects of adoption of recommended melon production practices among farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Despite the economic importance of melon production in the state, productivity remains low due to limited adoption of improved technologies. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 355 melon farmers from selected Local Government Areas. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed with descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, and the Z-test. The regression results revealed that the model was statistically significant at the 1% level, with R² of 0.62, indicating that 62% of the variation in the adoption technology were explained by the socio-economic, institutional, and technological variables included in the model. Farm size, education, sex, access to credit, extension contact, sources of information, and affordability positively and significantly influenced their adoption level, while perceived complexity negatively affected adoption decisions. A paired sample z-test was employed to compare yield and income before and after adoption.  The results revealed statistically significant increases in both yield and income after adoption (p < 0.01). Mean yield increased from 1,820 kg/ha to 3,460 kg/ha, while income rose from ₦210,000 to ₦495,000 per hectare. The findings confirm that adoption of improved melon technologies significantly enhances productivity and farm income. The study concludes that adoption of improved melon production practices significantly enhances farm productivity and profitability. It recommends strengthening extension services, improving access to agricultural credit, enhancing farmer education, promoting affordable technologies, and implementing gender-inclusive agricultural policies to improve rural livelihoods.