ADOPTION OF IMPROVED CASSAVA (Manihot spp) PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES IN ISOKO NORTH AND SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the adoption of improved cassava production technologies in Isoko North and South Local Government Areas of Delta State, Nigeria. Simple random and snowball sampling techniques were used to select 297 cassava farmers. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean, and multiple regression. Majority (61.60%) were females. The mean age of the farmers was 41.20 years. Majority of the cassava farmers completed their secondary school education. Majority (63.40%) of the farmers adopted planting date. The cassava farmers agreed that improved cassava cultivars have a higher yield than local cultivars ( = 2.88), they are disease resistant ( =2.50), improved cassava cultivars have more tuber yield per stand ( =2.73) and improved cassava cultivars mature very fast ( = 2.91). The constraints facing cassava farmers on the adoption of improved cassava technologies include inadequate access/unavailability of planting materials ( = 3.49), lack of agricultural inputs like fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides ( =3.01) and irregular visits by extension agents ( = 3.14). There was a significant difference between the adoption of improved cassava technologies and education (t=2.793, p=0.006). The study concluded that most cassava farmers were middle age, meaning they could carry out manual farming. Adoption of improved cassava production technologies was low. Thus, there was a large difference between the technologies and adoption. It was recommended, among others, that the Delta Agricultural Development Project intensify efforts at making farmers adopt cassava production technologies.