African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6863

Full Length Research Paper

Assessing input-specific knowledge gaps in farmers’ demand for agricultural inputs – Seed and irrigation technologies in Nigeria

Hiroyuki Takeshima
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) c/o International Center for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development, Plot #1413 Cadestral, Zone AO3, Garki II, Abuja, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Published: 04 May 2011

Abstract

In Sub-Sahara African countries like Nigeria where the substitutability of agricultural inputs tend to be low, policies that directly improve access to deficient inputs (“input-specific” policies) may be more effective than other policies that improve access to all inputs but to a lesser extent (“general” policies). This study uniquely assesses how input-specific policies were distinguished from general policies among selected studies on seed and irrigation technologies in Nigeria. Findings indicate that significant knowledge gaps might exist in Nigeria for “input-specific” information and in different ways for each seed and irrigation technologies. Key implications on future research were discussed.

 

Key words: Nigeria, seed, irrigation, input substitutability, technology adoption.