RESEARCH-EXTENSION-FARMERS LINKAGE SYSTEM ON BANANA AND PLANTAIN (MUSA SPP.) IN NIGERIA: THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS

The process of introduction and diffusion of innovations in Nigeria is depicted in the research-extension-farmers linkage system. Major innovations in the last two decades have brought dynamic changes in this system. The paper presents the methodology of the diffusion of innovation on banana and plantain (Musa spp.) in Nigeria. This is due to the fact that many farmers have not been properly reached by agricultural extension services. The problem of poor production has been attributed to the weak linkages, existing between research, extension and farmers. Consequently, the present research-extension linkage scenario in the country has not been able to achieve the prescribed goal of increasing production and improving the quality of life of farmers. Technologies developed by the research subsystem on banana and plantain include split corm, split bud, and on-field forcing for rapid multiplication of propagates. Others include appropriate spacing for cocoyam/ plantain or banana intercrop, cultivars tolerant to black sigatoka, control of lodging through cultural practices, and the control of diseases. These were subjected to on-farm adaptive research, small plot adoption technique and demonstrations to encourage farmers to adopt. The roles of the research subsystem (the National Institute of Horticultural Research), the extension subsystem (the Agricultural Development Program), the end users (farmers) and input dealers were analyzed. Using a simple and random sampling technique, researchers, extension agents and farmers were selected and a structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on their involvement in the prescribed linkage activities. The results show that researchers are involved in prominent linkage activities, such as evaluation meetings and joint problem identification, while extension agents are highly involved in joint problem identification and evaluation reports. For the farmers, highest involvement was recorded for joint problem identification and dissemination of knowledge. A significant difference exists in the level of involvement of researchers, extension agents and farmers in linkage activities, with the extension agents having the highest mean score.