Adoption Of Improved Cassava Varieties By Farmers In Kogi State, Nigeria

Improved cassava varieties have been developed and disseminated to farmers in the study area but the rate of adoption has not been ascertained. This gave rise to the study. The data for the study were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire, from 60 farmers randomly sampled from two Local Government Areas (LGAs) Ankpa and Olamaboro, which were randomly sampled from Ayangba and Alloma Agriricultural Development Programme (ADP) Zones of the state. Data collected included the demographic characteristics of the respondents, products of cassava processed, units of measuring cassava tubers for sale,sources of farm labour, sources of agricultural information, awareness and use of improved cassava varieties, and value added products of cassava. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) and multiple regression analysis. Results showed that Extension Agents (EAs) were the major source of agricultural information (97%) in the area.Land for agricultural production was acquired mainly by inheritance (95%), with majority (70%) of the farmers cultivating cassava on about 5 ha of farmland mostly on scattered plots. TMS 92/0326 was the only predominantly cultivated improved variety of cassava by (90%) of the farmers. Cassava flour and starch were the value added products mainly adopted and used by majority (100%, and 70%) of the farmers respectively. The multiple regression analysis showed that age, household size, and farming experience were positive and significantly related to adoption at 5% level, while education was also positive and significantly related to adoption at 1% level. Marital status and membership of cooperative societies were however, negative but significantly related to adoption at 10% level. It was concluded that majority of the farmers in the area adopted only TMS 92/0326. Farmers were largely unaware of NRCRI cassava varieties and value added products. The major sources of agricultural information in the area were the Extension Agents. It was suggested that Extension agents should organize regular field days to encourage diffusion through fellow farmers they should also collaborate with relevant research institutes to introduce other improved cassava production technologies to the farmers in the area.Keywords: cassava, technologies, adoption