Factors influencing group viability among cassava processor groups of the root and tuber expansion programme (RTEP) in Oyo state, Nigeria

Abstract

Many agricultural development interventions such as Root and Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP) have used groups as veritable tool for accelerating contacts with project targets. However, continued existence and viability of such groups remains a challenge in the post intervention era. This paper examines factors influencing group viability among cassava processor groups of RTEP in Oyo State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 116 respondents who were registered members of cassava processor groups as they have in place viable groups for the use of this study. Information was obtained on respondents' socioeconomic characteristics, the extent and frequency of participation in group activities, constraints to participation, and compliance of their groups to set guidelines. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics at p = 0.05. Results show that most (44.0%) of the respondents were between 41 and 50 years with mean household size of 6 persons. More than half (56.0%) attended group meeting while a reasonable proportion (49.1%) made useful contribution during group meetings and paid dues (44.0%) while 87.1% paid such dues frequently. Respondents were however constrained by high cost of transportation (58.6%) and raw materials for processing (50.9%) and inadequate finance (49.1%) as well as poor market linkage (45.7%). Total compliance was recorded for record keeping (63.8%) and attendance at meetings (62.1%). Group viability was predicted by respondents' household size (β = 0.142), frequency of participation in group activities (β = 0.142) and group constraints (β = -0.342). More infrastructures like road and input supply as well as soft loans to members of the group will further enhance group viability.