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Differentials in adoption of cassava production technologies among beneficiaries of the extension centre delivery services of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria
Abstract
The study was carried out in 2016, to evaluate the effect of farmers’ adoption of cassava production technologies on cassava yield: a case study of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Extension Centre (MEC) delivery services in Abia State, Nigeria. Multi stage sampling techniques was used to elicit information for the study. In the first stage, three Agricultural zones of the State participating in MEC activities were selected. In the second stage, one local government out of three in each zone participating in MEC activities was purposively selected giving a total number of three local governments. In the third stage, three groups of farmers from each local governments participating in MEC activities were purposively selected giving a total number of 9 MEC farmers groups. Twenty participants from each group were randomly selected giving total of 180 participants. Also five MEC staff were selected. Hence, the total sample size for the study included the 180 MEC participants and five MEC staff. Structured questionnaires were used to elicit information for the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency distribution, percentages, mean for descriptive statistics while correlation and regression analysis for inferential statistics. Primary data were used for the study. The result of table 1 revealed that the cassava varieties that had the highest adoption were TME 419 with an adoption mean score of 2.9 (X̅=2.9) followed by TMS 0505 with a mean score of 2.8 (?̅=2.8) and NR 8082 with mean score of 2.7(X̅=2.7). Fertilizer application also had a high adoption with a mean score of 2.8 (X̅2.8). While Pro Vit A cassava variety had a low adoption with a mean score of 1.6 (X̅=1.6). The result of table 2 showed that coefficient of determination was 0.07094 which implies that 70.09% of the variation in yield was accounted for by adoption of technologies. The f-ratio was significant at 1% level of significance indicating the goodness-offit of the model. The coefficient of adoption of technologies was significant at 1% level of significance and positively related to yield. This implies that yield of crops increases with adoption of technologies. The study therefore concluded that farmers adopted cassava varieties disseminated by the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Extension Centre in Abia State. It is recommended that there should be a linkage between the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture and National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike so that both institutions would collaborate in technology development and transfer.
Keywords: Farmers, Adoption and Improved technologies
