ASSESSMENT OF CASSAVA PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION BY SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN ETHIOPE WEST LGA, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the adoption of cassava production technologies among farming households in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study assessed the socio-economic characteristics of cassava farmers, identified available cassava production technologies, determined the level of technology adoption, examined socio-economic factors influencing adoption, and identified constraints to adoption. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select respondents. Oghara District was purposively selected due to its high concentration of cassava farmers, and five villages were randomly selected from the nine cassava-producing villages in the district. A census of 150 registered cassava farmers was conducted. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Likert scale analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that the majority of respondents were young (88.0% aged 40 years and below), female (70.0%), and highly educated, with 65.3% possessing B.Sc./B.A./HND qualifications. Improved cassava varieties (88.0%) and processing technologies (82.7%) were the most available technologies, while training on pest and disease management (28.0%) was least available. Adoption was highest for recommended planting methods (40.0%) and spacing practices (30.7%), whereas fertilizer application (46.7%) and integrated pest management (42.0%) recorded low adoption levels. Regression analysis showed that age, gender, marital status, household size, educational level, farm size, access to credit, and access to extension services significantly influenced technology adoption. Major constraints included high fertilizer costs (92.0%), high cost of improved stems (90.0%), lack of access to credit (90.0%), and inadequate knowledge of fertilizer application (88.7%). The study concludes that while awareness of cassava technologies is relatively high, adoption remains constrained by economic, institutional, and knowledge-related factors. It recommends Government and relevant agricultural agencies should provide targeted subsidies or input voucher schemes for improved cassava stems and fertilizers, since the high cost of these inputs was identified as one of the most significant constraints to technology adoption among farmers. Access to affordable credit facilities should be strengthened through low-interest loans, microcredit schemes, and agricultural financing programmes, particularly for smallholder and female farmers. This will enable farmers to purchase improved inputs and invest in modern cassava production technologies.