The effects of conflicts on the consumption and production of cassava: a comparative study of the northeast and southeast of Nigeria

Studies have shown that cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) production is dominated by both females and males, each contending for the pride of being an efficient cassava producer. This study compared the production efficiency of male and female cassava farmers in Odeda and Obafemi-Owode local government areas (LGAs) of Ogun State, Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents from the study area. Data were collected through the administration of a structured questionnaire on socioeconomic and production variables of cassava farmers. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stochastic production frontier analysis (SPFA). The mean age of the male and female farmers was 45 and 48 years, respectively. Most of the farmers, male (88.5%) and female (97.6%), were married with mean household sizes of eight and seven people for male and female farmers, respectively. The mean farm size cultivated and output of cassava by the male and female farmers was 0.96 ha and 1.04 ha and 16,240.74 kg/ha and 12,877.75 kg/ha, respectively. The mean production efficiency estimates for both male and female cassava farmers were 0.54 and 0.59, respectively. The factors affecting cassava production were land area (p < 0.01) and cassava cuttings (p < 0.01). The study also found female farmers (p < 0.01) contributed more to cassava production efficiency than their male counterparts. The study, therefore, concluded that female farmers have contributed more to production efficiency of cassava production. The study recommended, among others, that efforts to boost cassava production should give priority to female farmers to improve their production efficiency.

The consumption of cassava, a vital staple food for more than 1 billion people worldwide, holds particular significance in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Expansion in cassava production in SSA is driven by increasing market demand, local consumption, and adaptability to diverse environments. However, cyanide concentration in cassava tubers and products across SSA ranges from 9 to 1148 ppm – most exceed the World Health Organisation's recommended safe level of 10 ppm. Such variation and high cyanide concentrations in cassava products are expected to be exacerbated by climate‐induced increases in the frequency, intensity and occurrence of drought, heat waves and biotic stresses, further jeopardising regional food security. Thus, it is essential to examine cassava production and cyanide toxicity under climate change and their implications for food security in SSA. In this review, we look at the drivers of cassava production and spatial variation in cyanide concentrations across SSA, impacts of climate variability and biotic stresses on cassava cyanide concentrations in SSA, and crop management practices for reducing cyanogenic glucosides in cassava tubers. We surmise that urgent actions are required to adopt improved cassava varieties and management strategies that reduce cassava cyanide toxicity amid climate‐induced challenges in SSA.

The promotion of cassava as a staple and food security crop is widespread in Africa,Kenya included. Overreliance on cassava as a sole energy provider could lead to malnutrition. Consumption of high hydro-cyanide levels from cassava products could lead to health complications for consumers.This study sought to establish the contribution of cassava consumption to nutrition in Migori County.A cross-sectional survey was carried out and data collected on households’cassava production and consumption practices. Two hundred and fifty-three households were randomly selected and household farming heads interviewed in West Kanyamkago, Orango Central and Kamgundho locations as areas where cassava is predominantly grown. Seven cassava flour samples of different cassava varieties grown in the area were obtained from farmers.Analyses were done to determine the moisture, cyanide and protein contents on flour and cooked stiff porridge (ugali). Results indicated that 99.1% of the households were farming. They highly depended on sale of farm and livestock produce as income.Ninety four percent of the households consumed cassava,of which 88.4% produced cassava on their farms. The most preferred cassava variety was ‘Rateng’.The main cassava products consumed were ugali(stiff porridge)and porridge. Majority of the households (95%) never consumed cassava leaves and were not aware that cassava leaves could be consumed.The cyanide level on average on dry flours was 53.23mg/kg while on consumed cooked ugali was13.44mg/kg. These levels were above the maximum limit of 10mg/kg recommended by WHO.Low average protein levels of &lt;0.5g/100g were observed in the cooked ugali. This could pose a danger of protein energy malnutrition if no other sources are consumed by the household members.Cassava farming households in the study area require support to promote growth of low cyanide varieties in order to reduce intake.

The study investigatedresource use efficiency and productivity in cassava production in Owerri west local government area of Imo state, Southeast Nigeria. The multi �stage sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents. A total of 56 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed with the aid of questionnaire. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistical tools and ordinary least square multiple regression model. Results of the analysis showed that most of the farmers are small scale farmers and who are young and well experienced by the number of years of farming. The resultson productivity showed thatsuch inputs as fertilizer, labour cost, capital and other inputs were over-utilized. Farmers should reduce the rate of input use for effici ency to be enhanced.

Data generated from six communities from four Local Government Areas [LGAs] of Delta State were analysed using percentage distribution and Cobb-Douglas production function showed that about 60%, 26% and 14% of the income of the women farmers were derived from small ruminant production, off-farm employment and crop production. Further analysis showed that crop and small ruminant production have greater potential in increasing the farmer's income. The specific analysis shows that more than 46% of crop farm income comes from cassava production and that more than 75% of income from small ruminant comes from goat production. The paper suggests that agricultural policy and programmes should focus more on cassava and goat production in order to increase income of the women farmers in the study area. Keywords: Income Sources, Women Farmers, Rural AreaGlobal Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 3 (1) 2007: pp. 66-71

The study investigated the effect of women access to factors of production in cassava production in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from 90 representative female cassava producers drawn from four selected villages from the Local Government Area. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression technique of analysis were used to analyze the data obtained. Results of the study show that about 86.0 percent of the sampled women farmers were between the age brackets of 25 to 54 years, about 12.0 percent had no formal education, about 75.0 percent had between 1 and 10 years of experience in cassava production. However, findings reveal that majority (about 40.0 percent) of the respondents earned an income of between N3000 and N8999 from cassava production which is an indication of small scale nature of their farming business. Results show that only amounts of cassava farmland as well as the amount of labour accessed by women farmers were the only significant factors of cassava production. Hence, it was recommended that women cassava farmers should expand their scale of operation by expanding their farm size while government should institute appropriate policies in favour of women farmers.

Cassava, Manihot esculenta crantz, is not native to Southeast Asia. It was imported from the New World as were sweet potatoes, white potatoes, corn or maize, peanuts and tomatoes. The exact timing of this importation is not clear. One author suggested that cassava came to Java in Indonesia as early as the seventeenth century from the Moluccas1 while another author implied that cassava was introduced into Java in the later eighteenth century.2 At about the same time that cassava was arriving in Indonesia it also reached other parts of Asia. In 1786 cassava was reported in Ceylon after arriving via Mauritius; in 1794 it was planted in the East India Company's new botanic garden in Calcutta. Sir Stamford Raffles does not mention cassava in his History of Java,1 but he does mention other New World imports such as corn and sweet potatoes. While the use and spread of cassava has been fairly recent in many of the countries of Southeast Asia, it is now grown in all of them. However, it is a major agricultural product only in Thailand and Indonesia. Table 1 gives comparative details of cassava, rice, and corn for various Southeast Asian countries. Thailand's production of cassava is almost entirely exported to several of the European Common Market countries to be used as an animal feed; some quantities are also turned into starch. In Indonesia, however, cassava is a basic staple for the population. This paper examines the use of cassava as human food in Indonesia, how it is grown and processed, its nutritional aspects, the economics of the substitution between cassava and the other staples, and the possibilities of increasing demand and consumption of cassava in the future.

BackgroundIodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is continued to be a major public health problem in Ethiopia. The problem is worse but the data is scarce in some pocket areas of the country. This study was aimed to assess the magnitude of IDD and associated factors in southwest Ethiopia by using different biochemical and clinical indicators.MethodsBoth community and school based cross- sectional study was conducted on school age children (6–12 years) from March 1 to 24, 2017. Simple random and systematic sampling techniques were applied to select districts and eligible children respectively. Household data was collected from children’s primary care takers by using structured questionnaire. A trained surgeon examined all children (n = 652) for goiter. Urine sample was collected from 20% of children (n = 130).ResultsA total of 652 school children were participated in the study. Total goiter rate and median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 54.8% and 96.12 μg/l respectively. In multivariable logistic regression analyses student’s age was significantly (P < 0 05) associated with both goiter and median UIC. However; sex of students and family income were significantly (P < 0.001) associated with goiter and cassava consumption was significantly (P < 0.001) associated with UIC.ConclusionAs indicated by the median UIC, there was mild iodine deficiency in this study community. However; chronic iodine deficiency was still a severe public health problem (high goiter prevalence). In addition, there was low concentration of iodine in the salt and increased cassava cultivation and consumption indicating the potential risk in the area. Therefore, it is necessary to intensify IDD elimination activities along with teaching communities on techniques of cassava processing for household consumption.Trial registrationPACTR201809544276357. Retrospectively registered on 14, Sept 2018.

The study analyzed sources of information for improved cassava production technology in Biase Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. Data were obtained from a random sample of 110 respondents in the study area by means of structured and semistructured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The ranking of sources of information regarding innovation in cassava production in BiaseLocal Government Area, Cross River State saw radio (41.81%) as major source of information for new technologies in cassava production. The television (30%), extension agent (12.73%), friends/ neighbours (8.18%) and information communication technologies (ICTs)(7.27%) were ranked second, third, fourth and fifth respectively. The study also revealed that cassava farmers are faced with several problems in their production activities. These constraints affect the efficiency of cassava production in the study area. Notable among them are the constraint of lack of visit by extension agents, non-adoption of new technologies in cassava production, high cost of fertilizers, high cost of labour, delay in loan approval, low fertility of land, wrong application of fertilizers andinadequate land ranked 94.17%, 90.29% , 90.29%, 87.38%,86.41%, 70.87%, 61.17%, and 38.83% respectively. The constraints associated with sources of information for improved cassava production technology in Biase Local Government Area, Cross River State as highlighted in this paper if tackled could pave a way to increase cassava production and farm income of stakeholders. Hence, for efficient production of cassava inthe study area, these constraints must be reduced to the barest minimum. This can be done through posting of more extension agents to rural areas were cassava farms were established and more ICTs centers should created in rural areas and cassava farmers should be trained by extension agents on use of ICTs to get information on new technologies in cassava production.

Due to its high adaptability, cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is one of the world's most cultivated and consumed plants after maize and rice. However, there are relatively few scientific studies on this important crop. The objective of this review was therefore to summarize and discuss the available information on cassava cropping in order to promote sustainable practices in terms of production and consumption. Cassava cultivation has been expanding recently at the global scale and is widely consumed in most regions of South America, Africa, and Asia. However, it is also characterized by the presence in its roots of potentially toxic hydrocyanic acid. Furthermore, cassava can also absorb pollutants as it is currently cultivated near roads or factories and generally without consideration for potential sources of soil, water, or atmospheric pollution. Careful washing, peeling, and adequate preparation before eating are therefore crucial steps for reducing human exposure to both environmental pollutants and natural hydrocyanic acid. At present, there is not enough precise data available on this staple food crop. To improve our knowledge on the nutritive benefits versus health risks associated with cassava consumption, further research is necessary to compare cassava cultivars and precisely study the influence of preparation methods.

BackgroundA decade of Boko Haram insurgency brought conflict, mass displacement, and the destruction of basic infrastructure to Northeast Nigeria. Over 2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) suffering from lack of basic hygienic conditions, malnutrition, and disease live in camps or are hosted by communities in the region, where the conflict has contributed to a massive destruction of health facilities. Infectious diseases like tuberculosis (TB) and HIV are especially difficult to address under such conditions, and IDPs are vulnerable to both. Although international investment supports some health interventions among IDPs, locally sourced solutions are lacking.Methods and findingsWe evaluated the impact of an active case finding (ACF) intervention for TB and testing for HIV in IDP communities and provided linkages to treatment in 3 states in Northeast Nigeria: Adamawa, Gombe, and Yobe. The ACF was a component of a multistakeholder collaboration between government, civil society, and IDP community partners, which also included mapping of IDP populations and health services, supporting existing health facilities, developing a sample transport network, and organizing community outreach to support ACF. Between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018, ACF was conducted in 26 IDP camps and 963 host communities in 12 local government areas (LGAs) with another 12 LGAs serving as a control population. Outreach efforts resulted in 283,556 screening encounters. We screened 13,316 children and 270,239 adults including 150,303 (55.6%) adult women and 119,936 (44.4%) men. We tested 17,134 people for TB and 58,976 for HIV. We detected 1,423 people with TB and 874 people living with HIV. We linked 1,419 people to anti-TB treatment and 874 people with HIV to antiretroviral treatment sites. We evaluated additional TB cases notified and conducted comparative interrupted time series (ITS) analyses to assess the impact of ACF on TB case notifications. Through our efforts, bacteriologically confirmed TB notifications increased by 847 (45.1%) during the intervention period, with IDPs accounting for 46% of these notifications. The ITS analyses detected significant positive postintervention trend differences in TB notification rates between the intervention and control areas in all forms TB (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.136 [1.072, 1.204]; p ≤ 0.001) and bacteriologically positive TB (IRR = 1.141 [1.058, 1.229]; p = 0.001). The TB prevalence (502 cases per 100,000 screening encounters) was 10 times the national notification rates and 2.3 times the estimated national incidence. Rates of HIV infection (1.8%) were higher than HIV prevalence estimates in the 3 states. Our study was limited by the nonrandom selection of LGAs. Furthermore, we did not use sensitive screening tools like chest X-ray and likely missed people with TB.ConclusionsIn this study, we observed a burden of TB in IDP populations of Northeast Nigeria many times higher than national rates and HIV rates higher than state level estimates. The impact of the intervention showed that ACF can greatly increase TB case notifications. Engaging IDP communities, local governments, and civil society organizations is essential to ensuring the success of interventions targeting TB and HIV, and such approaches can provide sustained solutions to these and other health crises among vulnerable populations.

This research aims to identifying the factors that influence of cassava supply. The methode of research was descriptive. The data used were time series during 21 years (1977 to 1997) The estimation of growth of area, production, and productivity used semi logaritmic model, to estimate supply response used Nerlovian adjustment model. The result of the analysis show that growth of cassava production and productivity are possitive and significant, that means every year occur increase production and productivity. Cassava supply at Gunungkidul regency was not responsive to cassava price, because of the region physical condition, habits in cultivation, and social economic conditions of farmer. Keywords: cassava supply, production & productivity, cassava price.

Purpose To determine the prevalence of trachoma in each of the 21 local government areas (LGAs) of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Methods A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in each of the 21 LGAs of Adamawa State between 2017 and 2019. With the support of Tropical Data (TD), surveys were planned and implemented in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. A two-stage cluster sampling technique was used in each LGA, 25 or 30 clusters were selected with a probability of selection proportionate to cluster size, and in each of these clusters, 25 or 30 households were enrolled for the survey. All residents aged 1 year and older within selected households were examined by TD-certified graders for trachomatous inflammation – follicular (TF) and trachomatous trichiasis (TT) using the WHO simplified grading scheme. Additionally, data were collected on household water and sanitation access. Results All 21 LGAs had TF prevalence in 1–9-year-olds below 5%. The prevalence of TT unknown to the health system in people aged ≥15 years was ≥0.2% in three of the 21 LGAs. Access to improved water and sanitation facilities was <80% in the majority of the surveyed LGAs. Only 12 of the 21 LGAs had ≥50% household-level improved latrine access, and only Yola North had ≥80% household-level improved latrine access. Conclusion There is no need for mass treatment with antibiotics for trachoma elimination purposes in any of these LGAs. There is a need for active TT case finding and provision of community-based TT surgical services in three LGAs. Furthermore, engagement with water and sanitation agencies is needed to augment access to improved water and sanitation facilities across the State; this will help to avoid the recrudescence of active trachoma in the State.

Child's labour has attracted the global attention in recent times and the ILO has come up with several conventions to address the issue. For a developing nation like Nigeria that are reported to have alarming child's labour cases, it is then expedient to examine the children's involvement in cassava production since this is currently in the heart of the governmentagricultural reforms to improve the lots of the rural dwellers. This study investigates the involvement of farmers' children in cassava production inAkure South local government area of Ondo State, Nigeria. A field survey was carried out in which data was obtained from 120 farmers' children in Akure south L.G.A. using multi-stage sampling technique. The data collected were analyzed using frequency counts and percentageswhile the hypotheses were tested with Pearson's correlation coefficient.Majority of the respondents are within the age group of 13 and15 years (46.7%).More than half of the respondents are males (58.3%).About 60.8% of the respondents are in post primary school. Respondents are predominantly Christians (71.7%).Majority (55.8%) of the respondents' parents have less than 3000 heaps of cassava. About 32.5% of the respondents have their own farms. The study also shows that more than half (50.83%) of the respondents have low involvement in pre harvest activities while 65.00% of the respondents had medium involvement in post harvest activities. Pearson's r-coefficient shows that age is positively and significantly related to level of involvement (r = 0.466) at 0.01 level of significance. Religion of the respondents significantly affect their levels of involvement in cassava production(r =0.221) at 0.05 level of significance while gender, level of education and the respondents' parents' farmsize had no significant relationship with their level of involvement in cassava production. The study concludes that the children's ages and moral teaching taught to them can affect their involvement in cassava production. And the study recommends that education should be made accessible to the poor farmers' children in rural communities by government. And that government should encourage moral teachings (through religions teachings) and agriculture as a subject being taught to these children in their schools.Keywords: Child labour, production, farmers' children, level of involvement

This study was carried out to analyse cassava production, prospects and challenges in Irepodun local government area, Kwara State, Nigeria. It aimed to examine the determinant variables and determine the profitability level of cassava enterprises. The study was based on primary data obtained with the aid of structured questionnaire from 100 cassava farmers drawn through multi-stage sampling techniques from the study area. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, ordinary least square (OLS) regression model and gross margin analysis. The result of the OLS regression estimates showed that farm size, cost of fertilizer application, farm size, herbicides, family and hired labour were significant variable affecting cassava production in the study area. Fertilizer, farm size and hired labour are significant at 1% while herbicide and family labour are significant at 10%. The study found that the average gross margin per hectare for cassava production in the study area was ₦24,749.28 ($65.30) with a gross benefit ratio of 1.38. This shows that for every ₦1 invested in the business of cassava production, there is a corresponding profit of ₦1.38. The major challenges identified in cassava enterprise are huge transportation cost, high cost of production, lack of improved cassava cultivars, and lack of market linkages. The study concluded despite the problem encountered in the study area, cassava production is profitable and can serve as a panacea for economic improvement of households. Therefore, the study recommends that basic inputs such as improved cassava varieties, herbicides and fertilizer should be made available at affordable price. Also, infrastructural facilities such as good road network and improve marketing channels should be provided in order to sustain current cassava production rate and economic gains from the production.