Adoption of Improved Cassava Production Technologies by Cassava-Based Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

The main objective of the study is to examine the adoption of improved cassava production technologies by cassava-based farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. The specific objectives are to: identify the cassava production technologies available to farmers in Abia State; and determine the levels of adoption of improved cassava production technologies by cassava-based farmers in Abia State. Multistage random sampling technique was employed in the selection of locations and respondents for the study and a sample of ninety-six (96) rural farm households was selected for this study. The study made use of primary data, obtained with the use of pre-tested structured questionnaire which was administered to the chosen farm households. Objectives i was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as means, percentages, and frequencies. Objective (ii) was analyzed using mean score from adoption score index. Results show that cassava production technologies available to the cassava-based farmers in Abia State are sixteen, but they adopted only five. There is a low level of adoption of improved cassava production technologies in Abia State. Therefore, incentives should be made available to the cassava-based farmers by the government and other interested stakeholders, to encourage the farmers to adopt all the available cassava production technologies in the state.  In addition to this, the capacity of Agricultural Extension Services in Abia State should be strengthened to reach out to all farmers in the State.