SOCIOECONOMIC DETERMINANTS AND CONSTRAINTS TO ADOPTION OF IMPROVED CASSAVA TECHNOLOGIES IN OGOJA AGRICULTURAL ZONE OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines the socioeconomic determinants and constraints to adoption of improved cassava technologies in Ogoja Agricultural Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria. The objectives were to assess the socioeconomic characteristics of cassava farmers, ascertain the level of adoption of improved cassava production technologies among farmers, identify and analyze the constraints affecting farmers’ adoption of improved cassava production technologies, and determine the relationship between selected socioeconomic characteristics and adoption of improved cassava technologies in the study area. The population comprised of registered cassava farmers in Ogoja Agricultural Zone. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 149 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the study. Results indicated that the majority (70.5%) of cassava farmers were male, while only 29.5% were female. The most highly adopted technologies were mechanical weed control (Mean = 3.00, Rank 1st), Gari fortification and hygienic processing techniques (Mean = 2.88, Rank 2nd), and Bioethanol and biogas production from cassava waste (Mean = 2.87, Rank 3rd). The study concluded that improving cassava productivity in Ogoja Agricultural Zone requires an integrated approach that addresses both farmer-level characteristics and systemic barriers. The study recommended that strengthening extension systems will reduce information gaps and technical barriers to adoption.