ACCEPTABILITY OF IMPROVED SWEET POTATO VARIETY PRODUCED WITH INNOVATIVE AGRONOMIC PRACTICES FOR ADOPTION BY FARMERS IN BENUE STATE.

Abstract

On-farm trial on sweet potato production was carried out in 2015 cropping season in four local government areas (L.G.A.s) of Benue State aimed at introducing an improved high yielding sweet potato variety and Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) to the farmers for acceptance and adoption. The experiment consisted of a 2x2 split- plot in randomize complete block design replicated four times. The main plot is variety (introduced variety- NRSP/05/007C and indigenous variety used in the area), sub plot is plant population (recommended population of 33,333 plants/ha and farmers practice- below 25,000 plants/ha). Result showed that introduced variety NRSP/05/007C yielded higher (14.23t/ha) with a net return of ? 91,480.00/ha over indigenous varieties. Also, recommended plant population yielded higher (13.89t/ha) than farmers practice (10.15t/ha) of less than 25,000 plants/ha. Farmers ranked plant population of 33.333 plants/ha as better and accepted that replacement of indigenous varieties with introduce variety is economically attractive. From the result obtained in this trial, it is recommended that more extension work needed to be carried out to enlighten the farmers on need for improved high yielding sweet potato varieties and optimal plant population for optimization of yield and economic benefit.