Adoption of Improved Soybean Varieties Among Farmers in Borno State

Soybean production in Borno State, in Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone, has been promoted as a critical food security and income diversification strategy for farming households displaced or affected by prolonged insecurity in the Lake Chad basin region. Improved soybean varieties offering higher protein content and pest resistance have been introduced by research institutions, but adoption rates remain uneven across communities. This study examines the factors influencing the adoption of improved soybean varieties among farmers in Borno State. A sample of 140 farmers was selected using stratified random sampling from three local government areas with active soybean cultivation. Data were collected through structured interviews and analysed using descriptive statistics and a binary probit regression model. Results reveal that 47 percent of surveyed farmers had adopted at least one improved variety. Significant determinants of adoption include access to extension agents, membership in farmer associations, household head education level, and proximity to seed distribution points. Non-adopters cited seed unavailability, high seed prices, and limited information as primary barriers. Gender disaggregated analysis indicates that female-headed households had a significantly lower adoption probability, largely attributed to restricted access to extension contact and agricultural inputs. The study recommends community-based seed multiplication programmes, gender-sensitive extension approaches, and partnerships between development organisations and seed companies to improve seed access in Borno State. Keywords: soybean, technology adoption, improved varieties, Borno State, extension contact