Problems and prospects of cassava production in Rivers State, Nigeria: A case study of Oyigbo local government area

Abstract

Cassava farmers generally are confronted with a lot of challenges especially in the Niger Delta. This study therefore examined the problems and prospects of cassava production in Oyigbo L.G.A. Multistage sampling technique was used in the data generation exercise. Six (6) villages were randomly selected from the seventeen villages that make up Oyigbo L.G.A. Descriptive statistical tools, such as frequency and percentages were used in analyzing the data. Results showed that majorities (65.6%) of the cassava farmers were above 51 years which implied that able bodied young men and women were scarcely available for farm work. The result further showed that about 50% of the farmers received only primary education. Most of them rented their farmlands, used old cassava stem cuttings and were scarcely visited by extension agents. It is therefore recommended that adequate infrastructural facilities such as good roads and electricity, etc be made available in the rural areas to reduce the migration of the youths to urban centers in search of non existent white collar jobs. Credit liberalization policy should also be implemented by the Government to enable the farmers increase their farm sizes and purchase improved planting materials. Adult education programmes should be intensified by the Government to raise the educational standards of these farmers. The training of more extension agents is hoped to increase the number of extension contacts among these smallholder cassava farmers.

Food intake among smallholder cassava value chain households

“…The demographic profile of the households in this study revealed that mostly adults and elderly persons were involved in cassava value chain activities. Similar findings were reported by Nzeh and Ugwu (2014), in which most of those involved with production and marketing of cassava in Akoko, Ondo State were above 45 years, while another study among cassava farmers in Rivers State also observed that most were above 51 years (Iyagba and Anyanwu, 2012). Larger household size was observed among CVCHs than among non-CVCHs.…”

Effects of Social Capital on Adoption of Improved Technology and Productivity of Cassava Among Farmers Cooperative Societies in Osun State

“…However, the current level of production has not been able to meet the demand by growing population in the country. Studies [4,5] have shown that one of the ways through which farmers could improve their productivity is by coming together as groups and social networks to pull their limited resources together and adopt improved farm practices and innovations. These groups and local associations (such as cooperatives) could help farmers to generate social capital which could provide individuals and groups with access to productive resources [6][7][8][9].…”

Rural Road Infrastructural Challenges: An Impediment to Agricultural Development in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

“…Iyagba & Anyanwu, (2012);Ajadi, (2010);Ugwuanyi & Chukwuemeka, (2013) noted that different development-oriented programmes have been implemented in Nigeria, with a particular focus on regional development and food security. Some of the programmes according to them include: RiverBasin Development Authorities (RBDAs), National Directorate of Employment (NDE), National Directorate for Social Mobilization, Directorate for Food, Road and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI), National accelerated Food Production (NAFPP), Better Life Programme, Agricultural Development Programmes (ADP), Millennium Development Project focused on Rural Infrastructure, Rural…”