Effect of Adoption of Improved Cassava Varieties on Farmers’ Income in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Cassava has for decades been cultivated as a subsistence crop by resource poor farmers in the state and unimproved planting materials had been used in the main. The study examined the effect of adoption of improved cassava varieties (TMS 30572 and NR 8082) on farmers’ income in Abia State, Nigeria. The study was conducted in Ohafia zone of Abia State, Nigeria. Respondents were randomly selected from 5 out of 7 extension blocks in the zone. The 5 blocks were purposively selected because cassava cultivation is prominent in the area. Subsequently, 30 farm families were randomly selected from each of the 5 Blocks through random sampling technique to give a total of 150 respondents, which constituted the sample size for the study. Data collection employed a structured questionnaire, which was developed for the study. Data analysis was achieved using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages and mean, as well as simple regression analysis. Results showed a high level of adoption (70% and 66% for TM 30572 and NR 8082 varieties respectively) among farmers in the area. Results also revealed mean income earned by farmers in the area to be N30, 340.05 per annum. Results of the simple regression analysis showed that adoption of improved cassava varieties by farmers is positively and significantly related to adoption of improved cassava varieties at 1% level. It was recommended that the extension agency should intensify their awareness campaign on the improved cassava varieties with a view to encouraging farmers to adopt on sustained basis to enhance their income.