ADOPTION OF BIO-FORTIFIED CASSAVA TECHNOLOGIES DISSEMINATED BY EXTENSION SYSTEMS IN SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

• A.A. Adeniran

  Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria

  Author

• O. M. Akinnagbe

  Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

  Author

• J. O. Okunlola

  Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

  Author

Overcoming the dirge of Vitamin A deficiency through adoption of bio-fortified cassava is becoming essential among many households especially in rural area. This study examined the adoption of bio-fortified cassava technologies disseminated by public and private extension systems in Ogun, Osun and Oyo State, southwest Nigeria. A Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a total of three hundred and sixty (360) respondents for the study. Data were gathered using a well-structured and validated interview schedule and focus group discussion and analysed using descriptive statistics while hypotheses was tested with independent t-test. Findings show that 82.8% of the respondents were male, with mean age of 54 years (SD ± 11.036) with average of 23 years in farming. Findings further revealed that TMS 1368 variety of bio-fortified cassava (46.1%) was widely adopted. Also, the overall level of adoption of technologies on bio-fortified cassava in both public and private extension systems was low. Low acceptability of final products of bio-fortified cassava (W = 497) and low profit on bio-fortified cassava products (W = 411) constitute the major factors that hinder the adoption of bio-fortified cassava technologies in both public and private extension systems. It is therefore recommended that starch content should be matched-up with vitamin A content in the subsequent varietal development. This will enhance the acceptability of the products and adoption of associated technologies for cultivation and processing.

1. A.A. Adeniran, Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria

   Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria

2. O. M. Akinnagbe, Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

   Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

3. J. O. Okunlola, Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

   Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

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