AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development

FACTORS INFLUENCING CASSAVA PROCESSING AMONG FARMERS IN IKONO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Author:  Udoka, S.J., Okorie, N.U. and Okonkwo, N. A.

Abstract
This study used household’s survey data to analyze factors influencing cassava processing among farmers in Ikono L.G. Area of Akwa Ibom State. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select one hundred (100) respondents using structured questionnaires. The results indicated that about 32% of the respondents had primary education while about 51% of the respondents had post primary education. Also about 33% of the respondents had 1-10 years of processing experience while 41% were members of cooperative organizations. The result of the Logit regression indicated that factors such as educational level, farm income, credit accessibility, and price of cassava tubers were positive and statistically significant at 10% level of probability while cooperative membership was significant at 5% level of probability, implying that these variables positively influenced their decision to add value on cassava tubers. The study therefore recommended that government should encourage cassava processing by linking the farmers’ cooperatives and agro-processors to ready markets in the form of buy-back. Financial institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGO should assist in providing credits and other inputs and make them accessible to the local farmers to avoid the hijack of the input by non-practicing farmers. Extension service should be strengthened to properly synergize with the farmers for the actualization of the goals of both farmers and processors.