Socio-economic Factors Influencing Utilization of Manual Screw Press for Gari Production in Kwara State, Nigeria

Adegbola Adetayo Jacob,Ikwuba Agnes Agbanugo,Wegh Francis Shagbaor,Nwafor Solomon Chimela

doi:10.13189/ujar.2019.070401

Adegbola Adetayo Jacob, Ikwuba Agnes Agbanugo + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.13189/ujar.2019.070401

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Abstract

This study investigated socio-economic determinants of utilization of manual screw press for cassava mash dehydration for gari production in four local government areas across the ADP zones in Kwara state, Nigeria. Using multistage sampling technique and a semi-structured questionnaire as instrument, data for the study were collected from a sample of three hundred and eighty four (384) gari processors who use the screw press in the state. Multiple regression analysis shows that a correlation (R=0.678) exists between utilization of the screw press and the independent variables which include age, household size, level of education, years of processing experience, extension visits, and income from gari processing. R2 value of 0.460 indicates that about 46% of the variation in utilization was explained by socio-economic variables included in the regression model. Three variables significantly influenced the decision of the respondents to utilize the manual screw press: age, level of experience, and income; the most important predicator being income with a Beta value of 0.699. Conclusively, it was recommended among others that research, extension, and policy makers consider the significant determinants identified in the study seriously if increased utilization is to be achieved by gari processors and others similar to them in the study area and the region.

Highlights

Improved agricultural technologies exist in all facets and stages of agriculture; be it at production or at postharvest stages, and have played a major role in developing the agricultural industry (Solomon, 2010)
The R is the simple correlation between the socioeconomic variables and utilization of the manual screw press
Because, the predictors identified in the study were only able to explain 46% of variation in the utilization of the manual screw press indicates that there is need to mobilize new factors

Summary

Introduction

Improved agricultural technologies exist in all facets and stages of agriculture; be it at production or at postharvest stages, and have played a major role in developing the agricultural industry (Solomon, 2010). Increasing the efficiency of agriculture both at production and at postharvest stage through improved agricultural technologies depends on the extent to which farmers and processors incorporate these technologies into their operations (Sasore, 2005). In South-East Asia, growth in agricultural productivity has been rapid, largely as a result of the extensive utilization of modern agricultural technologies, and for millions of poor people the technological advances of the Green Revolution provided a route out of poverty (Ravallion & Chen, 2004). In Africa, there are far few examples of where agricultural technology has benefited smallholder farmers on a national scale (Lanjouw & Stern 1998). Doward, Kydd, Morrison, & Urey (2003) maintained that utilization of agricultural innovation has been inadequate in most parts of Africa. Facts from Zimbabwe reveal a post-independent Green Revolution amongst smallholder farmers which have had a significant influence on poverty through the introduction of hybrid maize, expanded access to credit, guaranteed prices and marketing subsidies (Eicher, 1995)

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