ADOPTION OF BIO-FORTIFIED CASSAVA TECHNOLOGIES DISSEMINATED BY PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EXTENSION SYSTEMS IN SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

Abstract

Bio-fortification of cassava with pro-vitamin A is an emerging sustainable strategy in the agro-research system in Nigeria to address the vitamin A deficiency among rural farm families with agricultural extension being at the frontline of dissemination of bio-fortified cassava technologies for adoption. This study examined the adoption of bio-fortified cassava technologies disseminated by public and private extension systems in southwest Nigeria. The population of the study comprises of all cassava producing farmers in southwest Nigeria who are beneficiaries of the public and private extension services on bio-fortified cassava. A Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a total of three hundred and sixty respondents for the study. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered for the study using a well-structured and validated interview schedule and focus group discussion. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics while hypotheses were tested with inferential statistics. Findings of the study show that 82.8% of the respondents were male, christian (60.3%), with mean age of 54 years (SD ±11.036). The average years of farming experience was 23 years. The mean household size was 7 members. Majority of the respondents (83.9%) belong to farmers’ organization. Findings further revealed that TMS 1368 variety was widely disseminated to majority of the respondents. The most widely adopted variety of bio-fortified cassava was TMS 1368 (46.1%). Handling of stem cuttings (65.6%) was adopted on preparation of cuttings. Planting in angular position (66.7%) between April and October (63.9%) and intercropping (60.3%) were the adopted technologies on methods of planting with spacing of 1m by 1m (81.1%) in the public extension system. In the private extension system, planting of cover crops (53.9%) was adopted for managing soil fertility and harvesting from 8 months of planting (91.7%). The overall level of adoption in both public and private extension systems was low. Low adoption was as a result of lower starch content in bio-fortified cassava varieties which is responsible for low acceptability of bio-fortified cassava products for consumption. Moderate level of vitamin A (60.6%) yellow colour (48.6%), high yield (46.7%) and early maturity (42.5%) were attributive reasons for adoption of TMS 1368. Low acceptability of final products of bio-fortified cassava (W = 497) and low profit on bio-fortified cassava products (W = 411) constitute the major factors that hinder adoption of bio-fortified cassava technologies among farmers in both public and private extension systems. Majority of the respondents (85.6% and 83.3%) in public and private extension systems, respectively, received trainings on bio-fortified cassava ranging from cultivation to processing. Practical demonstration was mostly used in both public and private extension systems for delivering technologies on land preparation techniques, preparation of cuttings, processing and utilization, planting method, site selection, spacing, weeding and fertilizer application. Generally, 51.7% of the farmers had favourable attitude towards adoption of bio-fortified cassava technologies. Test of hypotheses show that farmers’ level of education (χ2 = 21.938, p = 0.000), membership of farmer’s organization (χ2 = 48.227, p = 0.000) and family labour (χ2 = 9.172, p = 0.002) significantly affect the adoption of bio-fortified cassava technologies. Also, age (r = -0.016, p = 0.014) had negative significant correlation with adoption of bio-fortified cassava technologies while size of farmland (r = 0.157, p = 0.001) and household size (r = 0.251, p = 0.000) had positive significant correlation with adoption of bio-fortified cassava technologies. Results of hypotheses further show a significant difference in the adoption of bio-fortified cassava technologies across the extension systems (t= 8.530, p = 0.000). The study concluded that adoption of bio-fortified cassava technologies was low among farmers in public and private extension systems despite the high awareness and various trainings organized for farmers on cultivation and production of bio-fortified cassava. It is therefore recommended that consideration should be given by researchers on matching-up the starch content with the vitamin A content in subsequent varietal development of bio-fortified cassava. This will increase the acceptability of bio-fortified cassava variety and also enhance adoption of the associated technologies for cultivation and processing.