Agricultural innovation adoption among IFAD-Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) rice farmers’ beneficiaries in southeast Nigeria: A review of empirical evidence

Abstract:

The agricultural sector plays a significant role in food security, employment generation, and livelihood improvement in Nigeria. However, rice production among smallholder farmers remains constrained by low productivity, limited access to improved technologies, weak extension services, and poor market integration. This paper reviews empirical literature on the adoption of agricultural innovations among International Fund for Agricultural Development Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) rice farmers in Southeast Nigeria. The review examined major innovations promoted under the programme, determinants of adoption, and the effects of innovation adoption on farmers’ productivity and livelihoods. Evidence from the reviewed studies revealed that the adoption of improved rice varieties, fertilizer technologies, herbicide application, mechanized operations, and climate-smart agricultural practices significantly enhanced rice productivity and income among beneficiaries. The review further showed that factors such as education, extension contact, cooperative membership, access to credit, farm size, and farming experience significantly influenced adoption behaviour among farmers. Despite the recorded achievements, challenges including inadequate extension services, poor rural infrastructure, high input costs, climate variability, and limited access to finance continue to hinder effective technology adoption. The paper concludes that strengthening institutional support systems, improving access to agricultural information, and enhancing rural financing are essential for sustainable rice value chain development in Southeast Nigeria.