Adamade, C. A., Ozumba, I. C., Eze, E. I and Anyaeji, F. O.
Agro-Industrial Development and Extension Department.
National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), PMB 1525, Ilorin. Kwara State.
ABSTRACT
The study analyzed the level of awareness and adoption of NCAM mechanical Melon Sheller in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State Data were obtained through interview schedule with structured questionnaires using random sampling technique. A total of 60 melon processors across four villages were randomly selected and used for the study. Organization and description of data were done by the use of frequency distribution table, percentage, mean and sigma/adoption scoring method. The findings from the study (N= 60) indicated that majority (95%) of the melon processors in the study area were female, married (93.33%) and 70% with experience in melon processing. The result of the investigation on awareness creation of the melon sheller showed that about 98.3% were not aware of NCAM technologies before demonstration. After the demonstration was conducted for the processors, they preferred the NCAM melon sheller to the method they have been using before and 96.7% of the respondents were willing to use NCAM melon sheller. The adoption score of 5.96 shows high level of adoption of the technology in the study area.
KEYWORDS: Awareness, adoption level, melon sheller, processing technology