Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences

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Chikezie et al

Greener Journal of  Agricultural Sciences Vol. 2 (6), pp. 259-268, October 2012

 ISSN: 2276-7770 

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 09111259

 

Factors Influencing Rural Youth Adoption of Cassava Recommended Production Practices in Onu-Imo Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria

           

1Chikezie N.P., 1Omokore D.F., 1Akpoko J.G. and 2*Chikaire J.

 

1Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Institute of Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

 2Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

 

*Corresponding Author’s Email: rosafyne24 @ yahoo.com


Abstract:

The broad objective of the study was to determine the factors influencing rural youth adoption of cassava recommended production practices in Onu-Imo Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: describe the socio-economic characteristics and institutional variables affecting rural youth involved in cassava production activities; determine the level of adoption of recommended cassava production practices by rural youth in Onu-Imo Local Government Area and their effects; identify the factors influencing rural youth adoption of recommended cassava production practices. Data for the study were collected using structured questionnaire administered to 120 rural youth cassava producers. Four communities were purposively sampled based on their rurality and intensity in cassava production. About 10 percent of the rural youth cassava farmers were randomly selected from each village. The analytical tools employed were percentages, ranking, correlation and regression analysis. Results show that the level of adoption of the recommended cassava production practices was high. Findings of the study reveal that 40percent of the respondents adopted planting healthy stems cut at midpoint while moderate to high level of adoption was found for five other recommended production practices (planting time, plant spacing, planting on ridges, weeding time and fertilizer application). The determinants of adoption were: age, gender, marital status, education, farm size, house hold size, farming experience, amount of credit received, extension contact, and membership of cooperative societies, yield and income. Both correlation and regression coefficients were found to be significant for household size, extension contact, yield and income. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that credit should be made available to youth cassava farmers to enable them remain in business. Efforts should be made to introduce modern processing equipment (technology) to cassava producers. This will go a long way to reduce wastage. Furthermore, policy measures that would guarantee increase in yield and farm income of the rural youth involved in cassava production as well as provide cost effective inputs is recommended, as this will invariably improve rural livelihood and food security of the nation.
 
Keywords: Youths, adoption, technology, cassava, yield.

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