Assessment of Farmer Awareness and Adoption of Biotechnology Based Post-Harvest Loss Mitigation in Southwest Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Post-Harvest Research, 3(4), 53-59

This study assessed the awareness and adoption of biotechnology-based post-harvest loss mitigation strategies among crop farmers in Southwest Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, and data were collected from 400 farmers using a multi-stage sampling procedure and a validated 4-point Likert-type questionnaire (Cronbach's α = 0.82). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and one-sample t tests were used for analysis at a 0.05 significance level. Findings indicated a moderate level of awareness (overall mean = 2.46) but low adoption (overall mean = 2.27) of biotechnology innovations, including genetically modified crops, bio-preservatives, and biopackaging. The correlation analysis revealed a weak but statistically significant negative relationship between awareness and adoption (r = −0.1136, p < 0.05), indicating that higher awareness does not necessarily lead to increased adoption. Regression results showed that socio-economic (education, credit access) and institutional factors (extension services, input access) had positive but statistically insignificant effects. At the same time, membership in an association exhibited a negative influence. The one-sample t-test revealed that only technical difficulties (mean = 2.60) exceeded the 2.50 benchmark, indicating that constraints were generally moderate rather than severe. These results highlight the disconnect between awareness and adoption, which is shaped more by affordability, technical barriers, and institutional weaknesses than by lack of knowledge. The study concludes that enhancing adoption requires integrated interventions beyond awareness creation, including input subsidies, farmer training, credit access, and stronger extension systems to translate awareness into practice and reduce post-harvest losses.