FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF IMPROVED CASSAVA PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES BY WOMEN PROCESSORS IN AKOKOEDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract
This study was designed to examine the factors influencing adoption of improved cassava processing technologies by women in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of women cassava processors; determined the level of adoption; and the factors that influenced adoption; examined the effect of adoption on the output, income and level of living of women processors and identified the constraints faced by women processors using improved processing technologies. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. A total of 121 respondents in three villages were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Analysis of the study was done using descriptive statistics, multiple regression model and Z-test statistics. The result revealed that majority of the women cassava processors were 41-60years of age, had secondary years of schooling, no extension contact and belonged to at least a co-operative society. The level of adoption was also revealed to be high with an average of 2.7. The study also revealed that age, processing experience, affordability, compatibility and complexity significantly influenced adoption with an R2 value of 0.83. Result of the mean output and mean income before and after adoption revealed that there was positive effect of adoption on the output and income of women processors. The constraints encountered by the respondents in the study area include lack of credit facilities, high cost of machines, bulkiness of the machines, lack of spare parts and inability to read manuals. It is recommended that the improved cassava processing technologies should be made affordable to the women cassava processors. The study revealed lack of credit facilities as the major constraint; it is therefore recommended that the women cassava processors should utilize their memberships in co-operative societies by organizing joint contribution to assist themselves financially.
Description
THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITITY, ZARIA, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND RURAL SOCIOLOGY. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND RURAL SOCIOLOGY, FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA DECEMBER, 2012
Keywords
FACTORS, INFLUENCING ADOPTION, IMPROVED CASSAVA, PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES, WOMEN PROCESSORS
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