Evaluation of Potentials for Commercialization of Crops by Smallholder Farmers in South East Nigeria.

Abstract

The study evaluated potentials for commercialization of crops by smallholder farmers in South-East Nigeria. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire from 408 randomly selected crop farmers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results show that the crop with the highest potential for commercialization was cassava enterprise. The major products generated are gari (80%) and cassava fufu (60%). Farmers that adopted more technologies have a higher level of commercialization. The major source of credit is personal savings. However, cross-tabulation between technology level and credit source shows that most of the farmers (34%) engaged in Isusu adopted more technologies than those involved in personal savings. Improvement in the farmer’s credit source and requisite training skills would enhance the potentials for commercialization of the crops by farmers in the area