Technology Use by Nigerian Smallholder Farmers and the Significant Mediating Factors

The willingness of smallholder farmers in Nigeria to adopt new agricultural technologies has been low, despite the technological advancement in agriculture. Although technology is seen as the main route out of the traditional methods of food production and poverty, the rate of adoption of agricultural technology remains low among farmers in Nigeria. Factors affecting the adoption of agricultural technologies include the acquisition of information, characteristics of the technology, the education of farmers, social capital, farm size, household size, finance, self-control and hope. This paper explored the literature on the influence of the factors that determine the adoption of technology by smallholder farmers. And proposes that any exogenous influences and offer of support must recognize smallholder farmers’ personal resources when promoting technology adoption.