ABSTRACT

The study analyzed the determinants of adoption of snail farming technology in Mbieri, Mbail.oli LGA of Imo State. Thirty snail farmers were purposively selected from each of the four (4) circles in the Mbaitoii east block, making a total of 120 snail 4 farmers. Out of the 120 questionnaire distributed to snail farmers, io6 was recovered. The circles were: Ihitte 151 Mbieri, Ezinihitte, Amaike I and Amaike U. The data collected were apalyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages), adoption model (Al ETA) and multiple regression analysis. Results show that the level of adoption of the technology package was above average., Feeding snails with forage and housing them with im x im wooden cage, supply of drinking water and housing them with concrete block (5mx5m) were most widely adopted by the respondents with 81%, 67% 58% and 41% respectively. Feeding snails with concentrate has the least adoption of 8% by the respondents. Level of education, income, age and farming experience were found to be variables significantly affecting the level of adoption of snail farming technology. Inadequate of extension contact, high cost of snail stock and high cost of feed concentrate were some of the problems affecting the adoption of snail farming technology in the study area. Snail farmers in the study area obtained agricultural information from their friends and neighbours resulting in the above average of adoption of snail farming technology. It was recommended that extension delivery strategies be diversified and strengthened to boost snail farming through enhanced adoption of improved production technology.