This study examined the level of awareness and the extent of adoption of improved sorghum varieties among smallholder farmers across five key villages: Malete, Lanwa, Olooru, Elemere, and Arobad in the Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 120 respondents were randomly selected, with 24 participants sampled per village. Data collection was conducted using structured questionnaires, and the results were analyzed through descriptive statistics and probit regression to identify the factors influencing adoption behavior.

Findings indicate that 60.9% of the respondents were within the 31–50-year age bracket, while 48.7% were over 50 years. The majority were male (76.7%), married (83.3%), and engaged in full-time farming (75.0%), with a significant proportion (41.7%) having no formal education. Most practiced subsistence agriculture on small plots ranging from 1 to 3 hectares (79.3%), with limited access to financial resources (78.4%).

Although awareness of improved sorghum varieties was relatively high at 75%, actual adoption remained low at 15%. Among those who adopted, early-maturing and dwarf varieties were the most preferred. The principal constraint to adoption was the inadequacy of extension services (50%), while radio served as the primary information source for 33.3% of farmers. Mixed cropping was the dominant farming system, practiced by 50% of the respondents.

Probit regression analysis revealed that education level, access to extension services, and farm size were statistically significant predictors of adoption. This study underscores the need for strengthened agricultural extension systems, enhanced input accessibility, and strategically designed awareness programs particularly targeting young farmers to drive an increased adoption of improved sorghum technologies.