Untitled

Abstract

The National Root Crops Research Institution (NRCRI) Umudike embarked on massive capacity building and extension of technologies of new and improved food forms of cocoyam to rural farmers/women groups from 2005 to date in this country generally and south-east agricultural zone in particular. This study investigated how this training and extension of the technologies has empowered rural women to become entrepreneurs at various levels. A structured interview scheduled, were administered to 120 farmers in 2 agricultural zones of Abia (Ohafia and Umuahia). Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics like linear regression model and t-test was used to test the hypothesis. The result revealed that majority of the respondents was married (88%) while 12% were single and were reasonably aware of the technologies. However, on the utilization of the technologies, out of the 5 processing technologies, only 3 had high level of utilization, processing of cocoyam into cake (x ̅ =3.7) Bread (x ̅ 3.5 and Chin-chin (x ̅ =3.2). Also a tangible impact was made in the livelihood of the respondents as there was a reasonable difference in income of the respondents after the training. The major challenges associated with the utilization were no extension agents to answer their questions (x ̅ =3.90) lack of commitment =(x ̅ =3.25 and marketing of product = (x ̅ =3.17) among others. It is therefore recommended that re-training and provision of market facilities should be intensified to enhance the utilization of the processing technologies and their impact among the respondents.