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SOURCES AND PREFERENCE DIFFERENTIALS FOR CASSAVA SEED AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN OBINGWA LGA, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract
This study examined various sources and preferences for cassava seed among smallholder farmers in Obingwa
Local Government Area (LGA) in Aba Agricultural Zone, Abia State, Nigeria. This study utilized primary data
from cassava farmers and a well-structured questionnaire to elicit information. A multi-stage sampling procedure
was adopted for the study; two communities and two villages from each of the selected communities were
purposively selected in the area for the study based on intensity of cassava production. Fifteen (15) cassava
farmers were randomly selected from each of the selected villages, giving a total number of Sixty (60)
respondents for detailed study. Simple descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Rsults show that many
(58.3%) of the respondents were females, still in their productive years (75%), married (63.3%), attained formal
education (88.3%), with small household sizes (58.3%). Many (61.7%) of the respondents used both Family
labour and hired labour, with long years of farming experience (96.7%) and small farm sizes (55%) and used their
personal/inherited land for cassava production (41.5%) Results show that majority (71.7%) planted improved
varieties, intercropped (61.1%), sourced for improved varieties (62.5%), indicated termites/pest infestation as
their major reason for seed replacement in the study area (52.2%), process their roots (60.8%), and specifically
processed into gari (73.9%). The study therefore, recommends for policies to reduce the cost of improved
cassava seeds, thereby making it available to the farmers and at affordable prices. Also awareness creation and
distribution of improved cassava seeds should be prompt and on time. Farmers should be empowered to go into
improved cassava seed production as a business for income generation, and availability to other farmers.
