Factors influencing access to improved cassava varieties in Ejigbo Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The policy focus in developing countries is geared toward ensuring crop yield improvement and sustainable agriculture. This study seeks to investigate the factors influencing the access to improved cassava variety by farmers in Ejigbo Local Government Area, Osun State. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 120 respondents using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data obtained were analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics employed include frequency distributions, mean, standard deviation and percentages while Logit regression analysis was the inferential statistics adopted.
The results showed that the mean age of the farmers was 44.4±11.7years with the majority (81.7%) being males. The majority (87.5%) of the cassava farmers attended schools with mean years of cassava farming experience was 17.68±11.03 years. The average farm size was 7.9 ±6.2 acres with about half (47.5%) of the cassava farmers planting improved cassava varieties. The results revealed that the mean farm income was ₦265,841.50 with a benefit-cost ratio of 4.34. The result of Logit regression showed that the factors that positively influenced access to improved cassava varieties include the age of the farmers, sex, farm size, household size, annual farm income, access to credit, and access to extension service while the price of improved cassava varieties had a negative influence. It is recommended that the price of improved cassava varieties should be subsidized by the government at minimum cost, and farmers should be assisted with credit to be granted at a low-interest rate. Extension institutions in the area should intensify efforts to encourage all cassava farmers to adopt improved cassava cuttings.