Challenges to the transfer of agricultural technologies in Nigeria

Abstract

The main problem facing Nigeria today is not lack of technologies and scientific discoveries needed for economic growth and rural change, but that of converting them as instruments of economic growth and social change.
The challenge of agricultural development to a great extent is dependent on the development of agricultural technology system (ATS) and its subsequent and sustained adoption by the farmers. There is a gap between research findings and
what farmers practices. The problem has been linked to: the nature of the technologies, the technological transfer system socio-economic attributes of the farmers and local differences and peculiarities among others. Poor farmers in
the developing countries, though suspicious to change, are not “happy peasants” who actually like being poor. The problem is not one of basic unwillingness to change; rather, it is one of reluctance to change if the risks of change are
not adequately covered. It is not true that farmers in the traditional environment are always unable to evaluate new technologies correctly. In fact, it is often the “experts” who are ignorant and the traditional farmer who is wish. Unless the potential gains from a new technology more than offset the risks of low market prices and the probability of crop failure, it is perfectly rational for the farmer to reject the new technology if the potential gains are perceived to be relatively small. It is unlikely that the new method will be adopted, and this decision is perfectly rational in view of the risk involved. Thus a strong, effective and sustainable technological transfer system is one where institutions facilities flow of information, good partnership, and coalition between key actors over time.