INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) ADOPTION AMONG FARMERS IN CENTRAL AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

The adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) among farmers in Central Agro-ecological Zone of Delta State, Nigeria was assessed. Specifically the objectives were to ascertain the level of adoption of IPM and determine the frequency of extension contact with farmers. Three hundred and twenty farmers were selected and interviewed with the use of structured interview schedule. The findings revealed that 15.63% of the farmers adopted the technology and extension contact was not encouraging. Result of the profit model analysis showed that marital statuses, household size, involvement of every household member in were the significant demographic factors influencing the use of the innovation. This is therefore the need to embark on aggressive campaign for the utilization and popularization of the technology among farmers. Extension agents should select contact farmers from among those that are married, willing to involve all household members indecision making middle aged for rapid technology adoption and diffusion