International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 5423-5294 Vol. 6 (9), pp. 001-006, September, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

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. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +234 80 3624 6156.

Accepted 15 April, 2019

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.