Factors Affecting Adoption of Improved Cassava Varieties in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed factors that affect adoption of improved cassava varieties in Kaduna state. To this end 150 cassava farmers were randomly selected. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and logit regression model. Result reveal that majority (59.3%) of the farmers were within active age of 31-50 and a mean of 38 years. Also most (60.0%) of the farmers were married and majority (60.0%) of the farmers has household size 6-15 person, furthermore more than half 61.3% of the farmers were aware of existence of improved cassava varieties. Most (50.7%) of the farmers still cultivate local varieties. The logit regression analysis reveal age (X1) and marital status (X3) significantly affect the adoption of improved cassava varieties (P<0.05); Educational status (X4) and extension contact (X5) significantly affect the adoption of cassava varieties (P<0.01). Meanwhile, Farmsize (X9) and cost of improved varieties (X11) significantly affect adoption of improved cassava varieties (P<0.01). based on the finding of this study it could be stated that there was low adoption of the improved cassava varieties in the study area and this could attributed to high cost of production input and inadequate capital. Therefore, the study recommended that farmers should be provided with cassava production input at subsidized rate and also they should be given agricultural ground or credits to boost their capital based.