Evaluating Gains of Friendly Policy Environment in India

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to evaluate the gains of friendly policy environment in the cassava sub-sector among cassava farmers in Nigeria using farm-level data collected from randomly sampled 360 cassava farmers in Benue State. The study showed that the policy intervention, which opened up a lot of marketing opportunities for increased income in the cassava industry, encouraged the cassava farmers to diversify into value addition in their cassava business for increased income generation. It also encouraged increased adoption of improved processing machines/equipment at the farm level and increased accessibility to markets. Policies that would guarantee provision of adequate modern production resources to the cassava farmers are strongly advocated. Policies that would ensure that adequate farm and market information are made available to the rural farmers to make them abreast of current agricultural innovations and have access to much better market opportunities should be sufficiently reinforced.