FACTORS AFFECTING IRISH POTATO FARMERS’ PARTICIPATION IN HUNKUYI IRRIGATION PROJECT IN KUDAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study investigated the factors affecting Irish Potato farmers’ participation in the Hunkuyi irrigation project in Kudan local government area, Kaduna state, Nigeria. Two research questions were raised, and one hypothesis was formulated to guide the study work. A descriptive survey design was employed using 8,650 farmers. An interview schedule was designed and used for data collection. The proportionate random sampling technique was used to select 200 farmers from Hunkuyi participating in Irish potato farming. A Logit regression analysis was used to test the null hypothesis. The null hypothesis of the Hunkuyi irrigation project has no significant impact on Irish potato farmers' livelihood. The results show that the socioeconomic and institutional factors do not influence farmers’ participation in the project, as the P value is less than the P calculated. Therefore, the null hypothesis is rejected. The main constraints facing Irish potato farmers in the study area were the high cost of seed (100%). Inadequate knowledge of improved varieties of Irish potato seed (96%), Pest and diseases (92%), poor access to credit facilities (79%) and information on improved technology (79%) were among the major constraints to Irish potato farming in the project area. The study recommended that a sustainable strategy for irrigated agriculture development in Kudan LGA and Kaduna State as a whole should be sustained. Irish potato farmers should have access to extension agents for proper training on the adoption of new technology in Irish potato farming.