No abstract

Effect of adoption of improved cassava processing technology to the environment in South East, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are to describe the socio economic characteristics of the processors; identify the effect of cassava processing to the environmental; identify different forms of cassava processing; identify the technologies used by the processors to abate pollution; determine the factors affecting the decision of the processor in adopting of the technologies and identify the constraints to cassava processing in the study area. One hundred and twenty processors were selected from the States. A well structured questionnaire was used to collect information needed for the study. The objectives were addressed using percentages, logistic model analysis and factor analysis. The results show that most cassava processors were aged, fairly educated, well experienced and membership of organization. The different forms of cassava processing in the study area are gari, fufu, tapioca, starch and flour. The effects of cassava processing on the environment were odour, flies, mosquito dust, cyanide, carbon compound and waste water. The technologies adopted by the processor in order to abate pollution were use of collection pit, heap and burn, use of protective devices, source of fuel and dumping in the farm. The determinant factors to adoption of the technologies to abate pollution were education of the processors, credit, and membership of organization, processing experience and extension services. The constraints to cassava root processing were poor access to credit, high price of processing equipment, Poor pricing of products, poor infrastructure, poor pricing of products, irregular suppiy of tubers and Poor market information. There is need to ensure processors’ access to educational programs such as adult program, extension services, credit facilities and regular supply of cassava roots.

In 2007, the input use efficiency in farm level cassava processing into garri in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, was carried out. A random sampling technique was employed to select eighty cassava processors into garri. Scheduled interview was used to obtain cross sectional data. The quantity of cassava tubers processed by each garri producer, the inputs used and quantity of garri produced were extrapolated in metric tonnage for easy of analysis. Instrument of data descriptive statistical tools, production functional models, input use efficiency ratios and profitability ratios were used in data analysis. The result of the analysis shows that the average age of the cassava processors into garri was 52.10. Also 85% of the cassava processors are married and the average household size was 8. The average number of years in formal school was 10 and they had cassava farming occupation. The result further revealed that the farmers had 2.2 as their average farm size and 27.4 as the average garri production years of experience. From the survey, identifiable key resources include farm size, labour and other inputs as well as depreciated assets. The result indicated that the identified key resources (farm size, labour, other inputs, and depreciated assets) were inefficiently utilized by the garri producers, the enterprise however was profitable. The profit level could be increased if inefficiency in resource use is reduced through such measures as use of improved cassava varieties, improved processing equipment and facilities, and adult education and skill acquisition programmes.

Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 improved cassava farmers (60 males and 60 females). Stochastic frontier cost function was used to estimate the level of economic efficiency and its' determinants across gender, while descriptive statistics such as percentage response was used to capture farmers' socioeconomic characteristics, gender participation and constraints to improved cassava production in Abia State. The results showed that the mean economic efficiency of the female group (0.78) was higher than that of male group (0.75). The cost of production of improved cassava to both gender farmer groups were affected by price of fertilizer, price of cassava cutting, land rent and output. Educational level and extension contact were positive and significant at 5% for both gender farmer groups. Credit was negative but significant at 5% amongst female farmer groups. Gender participation in improved new cassava showed that those energy sapping operations were dominated by male folk while light operation farming activities such as weeding and fertilizer application was mostly done by women and children. Both gender farmer groups encountered problems of low access to credit, high cost of labour and high cost of planting material. The study calls for policies that will improve both farmer groups access: to credits, extension contact and education. Moreso, new entrant and experienced cassava farmer groups should be encouraged through making available subsidized planting materials and capital inputs.