Agricultural Productivity and Postharvest Loss Among Cassava Farmers, In Anambra State, Nigeria (Published)
Postharvest loss is one of the greatest challenges of agricultural productivity and its reduction is a key pathway to food security. Using Cassava production, this study tends to examine the socioeconomic characteristics of the cassava farmers; determine the effect of postharvest loss on cassava production; analyse the financial implication and mitigation strategies employ by the cassava farmers in the study area. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to a random sample of 120 cassava farmers in the state. Descriptive statistics, mean threshold from five points Likert scale, Logit model, and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Results showed that female farmers (51.7%) dominated the sector, with an average age of 41.91, 10.73 level of education, and 13.18 farming experience with 5.58 household sizes. The farmers have a 68.0% postharvest losses management index, and 32.0% postharvest loss among cassava farmers. The study found that the determinants of postharvest loss in the area are age, marital status, education, farming experience, household size, cooperative membership, access to credit, and extension contact. Postharvest losses come with a load of financial implications, and in that regard, the farmers designed a number of mitigation strategies like good agronomic practice adoption, processing immediately to chips, gari, and fufu among others. The study concluded that cassava farmers in Anambra State have high postharvest losses (32.0%). The study recommends the introduction of improved storage facilities and the provision of incentives to the farmers to increase their agricultural productivity and reduce postharvest losses.
Keywords: Determinants, Productivity, cassava, postharvest loss
Biofertilizer Impacts: Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) Cultivation Crop Yield and Regenerative Agriculture (Published)
Citation: Ayodele A. Otaiku (2022) Biofertilizer Impacts | Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) Cultivation Crop Yield and Regenerative Agriculture, Global Journal of Agricultural Research , Vol.10, No.1, pp.1-90
Abstract: Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) demand by 700 million people and cultivated in 105 countries between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn within 2300m elevations globally for food security and the cultivation impact on biodiversity require biofertilizer to mitigate climate challenges, crop sustainable development and regenerative agriculture. Nigeria is the world largest producer with a global average yield of 11.80 t/ha, cassava yields can reach 80 t/ha, compared to the current world average yield of just 12.8 t/ha. Biofertilizer solves the traceability problem of chemical farm inputs, suitability and nutrient use efficiency as an integral function of the rhizosphere microbiome via plant microbe interactions for improved soil health quality and crop degradation management. Cassava cultivation with biofertilizer will reduce hydrogen cyanide (HCN) levels in the crop as an integral bioavailability of soil organic matter and nutrient use efficiency. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in the biofertilizer will ameliorate plant abiotic stress and bio-control diseases management. Easily accessed agrobacterium inoculant in biofertilizer has potential for transgenic cassava cultivar development for improved yield and nutrient biofortification. This book chapter encapsulate the case studies trilogy research article papers on biofertilizer impacts on soil microbiome during cassava cultivation for crop yield, soil health, regenerative agriculture, value chain development, food and nutrition security.
Keywords: Biocontrol, Biofertilizer, Inoculant, NPK Fertilizer, Soil health and quality, Soil microbiome, cassava
Varietal Evaluation of the Chemical Composition, Field Performance and Yield of Some Improved Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Varieties in Rivers State, Nigeria (Published)
This study examined eleven improved cassava varieties that could be recommended to farmers for higher productivity in order to meet the high demand for cassava produce in the sub region. The eleven cassava varieties include TMS 01/1371, TMS 96/1632, TMS 98/0510, TME 419, TMS 98/0581, TMS 01/1368, TMS 07/0593, TMS 98 / 0505, TMS 30572, TMS 92/0326 and TMS 95/0289. The field performance evaluated include: plant height, leaf number, number branched, fresh tuber yield and dry weight. Immediately after harvest, the tubers were analyzed for chemical composition such as hydrogen cyanide, percentage moisture content, fibre and starch for each of the varieties. Results of the study showed significant (P<0.05) variation on the performances of the various improve cassava varieties studied. The top seven high yielding varieties among the studied varieties intense of fresh tuber yield which is a product of high growth performance as revealed by the results of this experiment include TMS 01/1371 > TMS 01/1368 > TME 419 > TMS 98/0505 > TMS 98/0581 > TMS 30572 and TMS 92/0326 in decreasing order. Similarly, low cyanide content and early high dry matter content such as starch and fibre evaluation of the studied varieties significantly (P<0.05) revealed TME 419 as the best performed followed by TMS 98/0505 > TMS 30572 > TMS 01/1368 > TMS 01/1371 and TMS 07/0593 in decreasing order. These varieties could be recommended for rapid stem multiplication and distribution to farmers for cultivation and consumption in Rivers State and Nigeria at large to increase the quantity of cassava products. With these selected improved varieties, adequate agronomic practices and processing, cassava yield and product quality could be bettered with less land use and labor.
Keywords: Chemical composition., Growth Performance, Varieties, Yield, cassava
Analysis of cassava production in Akpabuyo Local Government Area: An econometric investigation using farm-level data (Published)
The study analyzed the economics of cassava production in Akpabuyo LGA of Cross River State. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 75 respondents for the study using a validated structured questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics, budgetary method and regression analysis. Findings revealed that farm size, labour, the quantity of fertilizer, and gender were the significant factors affecting cassava production in the study area. The coefficients of elasticity showed that a 10% increase in capital, labour, number of bundles and quantity of fertilizer would lead to 0.06, 0.84, 0.03 and 0.85% increase respectively in cassava production while that of farm size will lead to -0.64% decline in cassava production. Total Cost (TC) per hectare of N35,990.4 was incurred in cassava production and a net farm income (NFI) of N39,957.6 was earned and return on naira invested was N2.11. Unfavourable government policies, sparse marketing outlets, inadequate capital, high cost of inputs, insufficient farmland, high cost of transportation and lack of extension services were the severe constraint faced by cassava farmers in the study area. Extension agents should be mobilized and sent to the study area to educate the farmers on the innovation practices available for cassava farming to encourage its production.
Keywords: Production, Profitability, cassava, constraint
Influence of Potassium Iodide Fertilization Rates on Performance and Fortification of Cassava (Manihot Esculenta) in Southeastern Nigeria (Published)
Pot and field experiments were conducted between November 2011 and May 2013 in Calabar, (Southeastern rainforest agro-ecological zone of Nigeria) to determine the effective rate (0, 0.25, 0.50, & 1.0g KI) on agronomic fortification of two cassava varieties (TME 419 and TMS 30555). The designs were a 2×4 factorial experiment laid out in randomised complete block designed with three replicates. Vegetative parameters measured were plant height, leaf area (LA), tuber weight and tuber weight per plot. Iodine content was determined in cassava tuber and processed products (fufu). In both pot and field, applied doses of iodine did not significantly vary the plant height and LA and tuber weight (p≥0.05). Plot yield were not markedly influenced by Iodine levels (p≥0.05). Iodine absorption and retention in tuber flesh and fufu were significantly positively correlated with Iodine doses (p0≥.05 and 0.01). KI, at 2.5g per plant or 25kg/ha favoured iodine retention in tuber and fufu in TME 419 and for TMS 30555, 0.5g per plant or 5.0kg/ha. TME 419 retained more Iodine in tissues than TMS 30555.
Keywords: Agronomic Bio- fortification, Calabar, Iodine rates, cassava