Valuation of Cassava-Based Farmers Choice on their Commercialization Index and Adaptative Practices in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study valued cassava-based farmers' choice on their commercialization index and adaptative practices in Etche local government area of Rivers State. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select 80 cassava-based farmers with well-structured questionnaire. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Descriptive statistics and a bivariate probit multiple regression model were employed in the assessment. The results revealed that majority (90%) cassava farmers were females with an age range of 55-64 years. Most (85%) of the respondents were married with household sizes of 8-11 persons with majority (52.50%) spent 6 years in formal schooling. Majority (42.50%) with 11-20years farming experience and most (67.5%) had income status of #500 -to-#700,000.00 per annum. The bivariate probit multiple regression results revealed that farming experience in years (0.013494), schooling (0.01776) and age (0.014376) in years were all statistically positive in influencing farmers choices on their commercialization index and adaptative practices of respondents while quantity of cassava harvested in kg (-0.003103) household size in numbers (-0.12798) and income status of respondents (2.15E -06) were all statistically negative as a result of poor market participation. It was established that insufficient funds to adopt new technologies were their major constraints while majority had a commercialization index of (50%). Farmers should consider investing in new technologies to improve their yields and profitability. Government and non-governmental organizations can provide support in terms of training or capacity development, access to credit, and technical assistance for adopting modern farming practices. The government should also implement policies and programs that provide financial support to farmers for adopting new technologies. This can help overcome the constraint of insufficient funds identified in the study.

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