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This research assessed the level of awareness for adoption of improved Shea nut processing technologies in Niger State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of the shea nut processors, determined level of awareness of improved Shea nut processing technologies and the level of adoption of improved Shea nut processing technologies in the study area. A total of 150 shea nut processors were selected randomly. Primary data were collected and analyzed. The result showed that majority (60.00%) were between the age range of 41 and 50 years and the average age of shea nut processors in the study area was 42.07 years. The result also revealed that all (100%) of the processors were females. The results revealed that majority (78.00%) of the processors were married. The result also revealed that majority (55.33%) of the processors attended adult literacy programme. The result also indicated that majority (82.00%) of the processors were members of one cooperative society or the other. The results further indicated that all the shea nut processors were aware of the technologies in the study areas. However, the result indicated that majority (54.00%) of the processors adopted between 9 and 17 available improved shea nut processing technologies with exception of parboiling, sorting, grading, storage of shea nut and deodorant of shea butter and storage of shea butters. The result also indicated that age, processing experience and membership of association were related to adoption and statistically significant at 5% level of probability among the selected socio-economic characteristics. It was recommended that the processors should be sensitized on grade specification of shea butter to meet international standard.

Keywords: Adoption, technology, shea nut, shea butter, processing.

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Citation: Koloche IM, Solomon S, Hamza AM, Garba MH, Mohammed A and Yahaya SA (2016). Level of awareness for adoption of improved shea nut processing technologies in Niger State, Nigeria. J. Agric. Crop Res. 4(1): 1-8.