ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ADOPTION OF IMPROVED CASSAVA PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study analysed the factors influencing the adoption of improved cassava production technology in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a well structured questionnaire assisted with interview schedule from one hundred and twenty respondents selected from six local government areas using the multistage sampling technique. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Probit model and budgeting analysis. Results of the socio-economic analysis revealed that about 73.3 percent of the respondents adopted improved cassava production technology and there were significant differences in the socio-economic variables of age, social status, farming experience, major occupation, number of years in cassava farming and farm size between the adopters and non-adopters of improved cassava technologies. Also the cost and return analysis showed that cassava production was profitable with the adopters of improved cassava production technology having higher and significant net returns over the non-adopters. The result of the probit model showed that age, marital status, household size, membership of cooperative society, ownership status, major occupation, contact with extension agent and feedback from the extension personnel were the significant determinants of adoption of improved cassava production technology in the study area. The study thus recommended that effort must be made to motivate farmers through extension agents to embrace improved cassava varieties which will increase cassava production in Ekiti State and Nigeria at large.