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Assessment of the Level of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato Production among Small Scale Women Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria


F. N. Nwakor

Abstract

The study was conducted among women in Abia State Nigeria to assess the level of orange fleshed sweet potato production. A Mmulti- stage sampling technique was used to select 108 respondents for the study. Data were collected with structured questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics (such as frequency distribution, percentages, mean), and ordinary least square regression analysis. A three point rating rating scale was used to present the participation of farmers in orange fleshed sweet potato production. The result  showed a high level of  participation  in orange fleshed sweet potato  planting( 2.7), harvesting ( 2.7), weeding (2.5), land clearing (2.4), ridging/mounding (2.4) and processing (2.0) activities. The major factors affecting orange fleshed sweet potato production were unavailability of planting materials (-6.520)***,  pests (5.4472)*** cost of  labour (-5.864)***, cost  of processing (5.5845)***, lack of   knowledge/skill (5.3247) *** and age (2.71)** which were significant at various levels of probabilities. The major challenges in the production of orange fleshed sweet potato among the respondents were lack of finance, land issues, poor storage facilities and inaccessibility of credit facilities. Based on these findings, it is recommended that farmers should be provided with funds, improved seeds, storage and credit facilities for increased sweet potato production in the study area.


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print ISSN: 0300-368X