THE STUDY OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND UTILIZATION OF CASSAVA PROCESSING TECHNIQUES AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Technology has made pertinent contribution to national progress and its usefulness has attained universal recognition both at national and international levels. In many developing countries including Nigeria, lack of appropriate technological and scientific knowledge utilization limits agricultural and economic progress. This study examined the knowledge and utilization of cassava processing techniques in two local Government areas in Ondo state. One hundred cassava processors were interviewed in the study area using interview schedule. The data collected were analysed using a combination of descriptive and inferential statistics such as Chi square test, Correlation and Regression analysis. The findings showed that 95.0 percent of the respondents were aware of modern cassava processing techniques through radio programmes while 98.0 percent became aware through other cassava processors. It was observed that majority of the respondents (95.0%) asserted that modern cassava processing techniques saves time while 84.0 percent opined that lack of operating skills do not prevent the adoption of modern cassava processing techniques. The stepwise multiple regressions revealed that variables such as age, marital status, household size, religion, level of education on cassava processing techniques determine the probability of adopting modern cassava processing techniques.