This study examined the factors influencing the adoption of modern rice technologies among farmers in Kambia District. A cross-sectional survey design was employed using primary data collected from 312 rice farmers selected across three chiefdoms in four communities in Kambia District. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, chi-square tests, Kendall’s W ranking, and post-hoc analysis to identify the major drivers and constraints influencing technology adoption. The findings revealed that rice farming in the district is predominantly undertaken by experienced smallholder farmers within economically active age groups, with 93.6% relying on rice farming as their major source of household income. However, low levels of formal education remain widespread, as 35.6% of respondents had no formal education. Although improved rice varieties such as ROK 10 and NERICA are increasingly cultivated, many farmers still depend on traditional varieties due to limited access to improved inputs and financial services. The logistic regression model showed strong explanatory power (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.531; p < 0.001) and identified farm size, land ownership, training on modern rice technologies, and chiefdom location as significant positive factors of adoption. Farmers with larger farms, secure land ownership, and access to training were significantly more likely to adopt modern rice technologies. Conversely, inadequate access to credit and weak extension services negatively influenced adoption. Kendall’s W ranking indicated moderate agreement among respondents (W = 0.42; p = 0.002), with availability of improved inputs and affordability of technologies ranked as the most important factors of adoption. Social learning through fellow farmers and market availability also played significant roles in shaping adoption decisions. Chi-square analysis revealed no significant relationship between the type of rice cultivated and household income source (χ2 = 12.12, p = 0.436), whereas access to improved rice seed varieties was strongly associated with household income source (χ2 = 36.49, p < 0.0001). Post-hoc analysis further showed significant disparities in seed access, particularly among farmers engaged in non-farm activities and rice farming, suggesting systemic inequalities in input distribution. The study concludes that adoption of modern rice technologies in Kambia District is influenced by a complex interaction of economic, institutional, social, and resource-related factors. The study
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