SUSTAINED ADOPTION OF IMPROVED CASSAVA VARIETIES AND FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATION FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Cassava is a dominant component in crop mixtures across sub-Saharan Africa and particularly in Southern Nigeria. It is a common and preferred food security crop especially among smallholder farmers because of its capacity to tolerate drought and low soil fertility; as well as ability to thrive with minimum external inputs among other factors. As a staple food among a large population in sub-Saharan Africa, it has attracted several research efforts in order to attain the improved varieties’ status. Accordingly, farmers have been encouraged to adopt the improved cassava varieties in order to increase productivity. Studies have shown farmers’ initial willingness to experiment with the improved cassava varieties but so far, continuous uptake and diffusion has not been achieved. This study examines factors affecting the sustained adoption of improved cassava varieties by smallholder farmers in Oboro clan, lkwuano L.G.A., Abia State, Nigeria. Data was obtained mostly from primary sources. A strategic random sampling procedure was used to select 150 smallholder cassava farmers from 10 communities of Oboro clan, Abia State. Using descriptive statistics, findings support a low intensity and un-sustained adoption of improved cassava varieties in the study area.