Farmers’ Adoption of Cassava Agronomic Practices and Intercrop Technologies in Abia and Imo States, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analysed farmers’ adoption of cassava agronomic practices and intercrop technologies in Abia and Imo States, Nigeria. Purposive and multi-stage random sampling techniques were used to select two hundred and forty (240) cassava farmers (120 each for Abia and Cross River states). Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (probit regression and Z–test analysis). The result revealed that farmers sourced information on cassava production technologies mostly from radio programmes, extension visits and fellow cassava farmers. Result also showed that Abia farmers had adoption index of 86% and 80% (Imo farmers) of cassava agronomic practices with mean adoption scores of 4.3 and 4.0 respectively. Again, the farmers had adoption index of 62% (Abia) and 64% (Imo) of cassava intercrop technologies with mean adoption scores 3.1 and 3.2 respectively. Probit regression result showed that gender, age, education, farm size, farming experience, farm income and extension contact influenced farmers adoption of cassava agronomic practices and intercrop technologies in Abia and Imo states. The Z- test result showed no significant difference between farmers’ adoption of cassava agronomic practices and intercrop technologies in the study areas. Increased extension contacts and access to land were advocated for adoption of recommended cassava production technologies in the study area.