CHOKOR SMOKER KILN TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION IN AKWA IBOM STATE: CONSTRAINTS AND PROSPECT

This study investigated the adoption level of Chorkor Smoker Kiln Technology (CSKT) , an improved fish processing technique ,among fish processors in rural communities of Akwa Ibom State. A multi - stage sampling technique was used to select respondents from each of the selected Agricultural Development Progammes (ADPs) Zones, and from the Zones, extension blocks were selected from the study area. Twelve extension cells were then randomly selected for the study. Twenty fish processors were randomly selected with the aid of Extension Agents working in each of the extension cells. Two hundred and forty randomly selected fish processors made up the sampling size for this study. The instrument (questionnaire) used in this study was validated and tested for reliability using test- retest method. Results indicated that 74.58% of the respondents were female while 25.42% were male. Majority of the respondents (32.50%) were within the age range of 40 - 49 years and followed by 50- 59 years (27.92%). About 14.17% of the respondents had no formal education while 32.92% and 39.58% had primary and secondary education, respectively. The highest household size was 4-6 persons and constitutes 41.25 % followed by 7-9 (33.33%) person per household. Most of the respondents had 21- 30 years experience (32.50%) and was followed by 30 - 40 years (25%) and 11 -20 years (21. 25%) experience. About 28 % of the respondents were unaware while about 71% were aware of the existence of CSKT. Out of the five CSKT packages, only one (double tray with mean adoption score of 0.178 out of a maximum of 6.0) was not widely adopted. Education level, household size and year of processing experience were positively related to adoption of CSKT adoption. CSKT adoption has prospect particularly if awareness creation is intensified and the identified constraints are sufficiently addressed.