The Effect of Adult Education on Agricultural Innovation Adoption in Kebbi State

This study examines the effect of adult education exposure on agricultural innovation adoption among smallholder farmers in Kebbi State, North West Nigeria. Agricultural productivity in Kebbi State is constrained by low technology adoption, with many farmers relying on traditional methods despite the availability of improved seed varieties, fertiliser application techniques, and modern irrigation practices. Adult education, particularly functional literacy linked with agricultural extension, has been proposed as a mechanism for improving farmers' capacity to understand, evaluate, and adopt innovations. This study uses a quasi-experimental design, comparing agricultural innovation adoption outcomes between 120 farmers who participated in joint adult education and agricultural extension programmes and a matched control group of 120 non-participant farmers in Argungu, Jega, and Danko-Wasagu local government areas. Adoption indicators include use of improved seeds, fertiliser application rates, and adoption of irrigation practices. Logistic regression and propensity score matching are applied. Findings reveal that programme participants are significantly more likely to adopt improved seeds and fertiliser application practices compared to non-participants. The combination of literacy training and practical demonstration activities is the most effective format for technology transfer. Adoption of irrigation technology showed a weaker programme effect due to capital cost barriers. The study concludes that adult education integrated with agricultural extension significantly improves innovation adoption in Kebbi State. It recommends the formalisation of joint literacy and extension programming as a standard model for Nigeria's agricultural development programmes.

Keywords: adult education, agricultural innovation, Kebbi State, smallholder farmers, extension services.