The study assesses the effects of labour scarcity on rice production and yield in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Survey research design was adopted; with a population of 5125 registered smallholder rice farmers, out of which 371 respondents were sampled using the multi-stage sampling strategy. The questionnaire was then used to collect data from the sample. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPPS 20.0) from which simple frequencies and percentages were presented in tables and graphs to answer the research questions. Findings indicated that scarcity of labour for rice production is caused by Farmers/Herdsmen clashes, migration due to improved education; preference for other rural jobs, drudgery of farm activities as well as lack of basic social amenities in the rural areas. The findings also revealed that labour scarcity affects rice production and yield adversely in the study area as it leads to poor rice yields, smaller sizes of rice farms, poor income, preference for other crops as well increased poverty levels.

Aims: The aim of the study was to ascertain the impact of the adoption of improved cassava technology on the output of farmers in Benue state, Nigeria. Study Design: The study used Survey design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Benue State, between November 2018 and May 2019. Methodology: Cluster and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 366 respondents for the study. Primary data were collected using Semi-structured questionnaire. Objective 1 was achieved using descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies and means while Objective 2 was achieved using multiple regression model. Results: The findings showed that the adoption of improved cassava technologies influenced the farmers in a number of ways which included increased farmers income (56%:  2.10), acquired new skills (75%:); increased output (76%: ); expanded production (67%: ); ensured more food at home (food security) ( 85%: ); and increased well being of adopters (80%: ). The result also revealed that improved cassava technologies adoption have significant impact on farmers output in Benue State was accepted. This was indicated by F-stat value of 33.42 and F-probe value of 0.000 of less than 0.05, indicating that the estimated regression model adopted in this study was statistically significant at 1%. The R2 value of 0.75 implied that 75% of dependent variable (farmers output) was explained by the independent variables (TSM0505, TSM0581, TSM0572, TMS011368, TMS961632, TMS920326 TME 419, NR8082). Conclusion: Thus it was concluded that improved cassava technologies adoption have significant impact on farmers output in Benue State The study thus recommend that Extension agencies should ensure that improved cassava technologies are accessible by farmers and that farmers acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in using such technologies. This will ensure high adoption and high impact as well.

Aims: The study assessed the determinants of adoption of improved cassava technologies among farmers in Benue state, Nigeria Study Design:  Survey design was used for the study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Benue State, between February 2019 to November 2020. Methodology: the study comprised all farm families in Benue State. Cluster and simple random sampling techniques were used in the selection of 336 respondents for the study. Results: The result clearly showed that most of the respondents were in their active and productive age group, both male and female were involved in the production of cassava with the number of male slightly higher than female and that 90% of the farmers have had one form of formal education or another with mean farming experience of 14 years with limited access to extension services. There is high awareness of improved cassava technologies among farmers in Benue state but with moderate to low adoption of improved cassava technologies. The major factors that determined the adoption level in the area included characteristics of an innovation which are availability of inputs 100%, affordability 100%, storability 80.3%, quality of the processed products 81%, and acceptability of the products 95% (349). Others include farming experience 98%, adequate knowledge of the technology 83% (303), extension contact 86%, age 86%, income 85%, marital status 76% and gender 81%. Conclusion: The major factors that determine the adoption level in the area included characteristics of an innovation which are availability of inputs, affordability, quality of the processed products and acceptability of the products. Others include farming experience, adequate knowledge of the technology, extension contact. It was recommended that extension agents should ensure that improved cassava technologies are accessible by farmers and that farmers acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in using such technologies.

Aims:  The study aimed to determine the level of adoption of improved cassava technologies in Benue State. Study Design:  The Survey design was adopted for the study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Benue State, between September 2018 and March 2019. Methodology: Cluster and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 336 respondents for the study. Primary data were collected using Semi-structured questionnaire. The objectives were achieved using descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies and means and Rank ordered analysis. Results: The improved cassava technologies in Benue state were identified to include; TMS 0505, TMS 0581, TMS 30572, TMS 01/1368, TMS 96/1632, TMS 92/0326, TME 419, NR 8082.The result revealed that the percentage awareness for TMS 0505 was high 65% (238) but the adoption of TMS 0505 was low 32% (78). There is moderate awareness level for TMS 0581 49% (179) and TMS 02/1368 56% (294) with moderate adoption 55% (98) and 53% (109) respectively. Also, the awareness level for TMS 92/0326 is high 72% (265) with moderate adoption 44% (116); TME 419 and NR 8082 had high awareness level 85% (311) and 88% (323) with high adoption 65% (201) and 68% (221) respectively. The result also revealed that famers complained that the improved cassava varieties cannot store for a long time in the farm 93% (342) and that there is no market to sale increased quantity of cassava roots. Conclusion:  Thus it was concluded that there is generally high level of awareness of improved cassava varieties in Benue state but with moderate to low adoption rate. The study thus recommend that farmers should be consulted and their needs should always be considered in such development ventures. This will ensure high adoption and high impact as well.