Socio-Economic Determinants of Adoption of Bio-Fortified Cassava Varieties among Farmers in Anambra Agricultural Zone of Anambra State, Nigeria (Published)
The study analyzed the socio-economic determinants of adoption of bio-fortified Cassava among cassava farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, types and varieties of yellow cassava obtainable in the study area and the influence of socio-economic factors on the adoption of the bio-fortified cassava among the farmers. Multi-stage, purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select one hundred and twenty (120) Cassava farmers used for the Study. Data for the study was collected by administration of pre-tested questionnaire to the respondent farmers and analyzed using both descriptive (frequencies and means) and inferential statistics (maximum likelihood probit regression model). Among other results, the probit regression analysis of factors that influence the adoption of bio-fortified cassava among farmers reveals that education (3.1160) and access to planting material (5.0162) were positively significant at 1%, farm size( 1.1114) at 10% and membership of cooperative society (1.3424) and extension contact (3.134) were significant at 5% level. This implies that increases in these factors will lead to more adoption of bio-fortified cassava among the farmers in the study area. Based on the findings, the researchers recommend among others that government should endeavour to increase the multiplication of the planting material, make it available to farmers for production and create a sustainable market out let if optimum production is desired.
Keywords: Determinants, Socio-Economics, bio-fortified cassava, probit regression
Socio-Economic Factors Affecting the Performance of Women in Food Production (Published)
Women grow a substantial amount of food eaten by families, yet they still have less access to knowledge, technology, credit and land than men. Despite these data, there is still lack of sufficient data and information particularly on specific states in Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to identify the socioeconomic characteristics of women farmers in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and to determine the relationship between those socio-economic characteristics and food production. Six villages were purposively selected. Eighty percent of the women were randomly selected in each of the villages. Two hundred women were selected and administered with a structured questionnaire. Descriptive Statistics, correlation and Regression Analysis were used to analyze results. The results show that the respondents are still active, mean age was 40. Thirty five percent have no formal education at all, sixty nine percent were members of cooperative,fifty four percent had no (mining, sixty three percent had extension contacts. Wealth status mean (mean N45,856) amount of food produced (mean N27,000), income mean (N21,378) amount of credit received (mean N75.856). Correlation results revealed income (r=0.6708), inputs (r=0.3646), farm size (r-0.2797), wealth status (r=0.2475) and training (r=0.2256) have positive and strong relationships with food production. Results of stepwise analysis indicated income contributed 39%, training 3% farm size 2%, costs of inputs 2% and wealth status 2% to food production at 5% level of significance. The null hypothesis there is no significant relationship between socioeconomic characteristics of women and food production was therefore rejected and the alternative hypothesis accepted. On the bass of these findings, it is recommended that women should be empowered through the provision of loans. The amount should be substantial and the loans disbursed on time. The
interest rate and cost of insurance charged should be low. There is also the need to improve upon the level of education of the women and also to train them on additional source of income generation.
Keywords: Food Production, Level Of Education, Socio-Economics, Women