ABSTRACT
The
research study investigated the participation of Pro-vitamin “A” cassava
production among small scale farmers in Ohaukwu local Government Area of Ebonyi
state, Nigeria. A total of 80 respondents were selected through multi-stage
random sampling technique. Data was collected with structured questionnaire and
analyzed with descriptive statistics and multiple regression model analysis.
The result revealed that majority (66.25%) of respondent were males, the (42.5%) of the respondent fell between
21-30years age, the (61.25%)respondent were married and level of education
recast respondent is majorly from NCE/ND (28.78%). The result showed that
(37.5%) of the respondent had farming experience of 3years and above, 42.5
percent had 4-6 persons in the family, (48.75%) respondent represent farming
majority of farmer did not belong to any co-operative society. (43.75%) hired
labour (58.75%) respondent on friends /relative. The cost of labour per day is
from #400 to #500, (26.25%) of the respondents had farm size of 2.0-2.99
hector, (48.75%) of people earn from #10000 to #30000 per annum, (71.25%) of
farmers had contact with agriculture extension. Respondent of farmers on access
to credit which (57.5%) of farmers have access to credit, (35%) of respondent
got their credit from personal savings. Multiple regression analysis showed
planting material, labour cost, income, credit access and extension contact
were significant at 5% and 10% risk levels. The result also showed that among
all the fourteen constraints of farmers in the production of pro-vitamin “A”
cassava, lack of extension contact and garri quality ranked first followed by
low price of cassava tuber second and thirdly in a variability of planting
materials. This study recommends that modern agricultural technologies should
be encouraged, taught to farmers by the extension agents. Production of
pro-vitamin “A” cassava should be made available to farmers through the ADP of
every local government in the state.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Cassava
(Manihot esculenta) is a major food crop in sub-Saharan Africa. It is primarily
a root crop, but the leaves and shoots, which are relatively high in protein,
are also often eaten. The roots are an important calorie provider of which over
half of the more than 200 million people in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) get more
than half of their calories from foods made from cassava roots. Its value further lies in its ability to grow
in sub-optimal conditions, for example, drought and low soil fertility, conditions
which are encountered in parts of Africa Manyong et al. Cassava is also
becoming a major source of income for smallholder farmers and of raw materials
for local industries.
Cassava
has several uses which range from the provision of food to industrial uses.
PIND noted that it is an important staple and the third most consumed crop in
Nigeria. Similarly, Manyong et al. added that during times of social and
political unrest when people are forced to farm on marginal lands, cassava has
proven to be an invaluable food security crop where it can be processed in
several forms. Industrially, cassava is used in the production of plywood,
starch, alcohol and livestock feed.
In 1993,
Africa produced about 88 million tons of cassava (about 55% of the world’s
cassava) and is projected to be more than double in 2020 Scott et al.. Trends
in cassava production indicate a steady growth over time. For example, growth
rates of 2.55% between 1961 and 1975 and 2.7% between 1976 and 1998 were
recorded in all of Africa. West Africa, which is a major cassava growing
region, recorded a growth rate of 4.45% between 1978 and 1998 (FAO). According
to Manyong et al (2006) about two-thirds of the increase was as a result of the
expansion of the area cultivated, the remaining one-third was the result of
increased yields from new improved varieties. Improved varieties can have
yields nearly 1.5 times higher than the local varieties Manyong et al.
As a
food crop, cassava has some inherent characteristics which makes it attractive
to the rural farmers in Ebonyi state and Ohaukwu local government area in
particular. It is rich in carbohydrate especially starch and consequently has a
multiplicity of end users (11TA, 2006). It is also available all year round,
making it preferable to other more seasonal crop such as grains, peas and beans
and other crop of food products (Akorodu and Teri, 2004). As a food crop also,
cassava generates income to the largest number of rural farmers in comparison
with other staples. Cassava (Manihot esculentium)
is very significant food crops in Ebonyi state and Nigeria at large. It
provides about 40% in sub-Saharan Africa, and 70% of the day calorie intake of
50 million Nigerians. It is propagated by stems, tolerates moisture stress,
makes limited soil fertility demand, and has a specific planting and harvesting
periods. It can be processed into a variety of food items or forms and does not
require elaborate storage facilities because harvested cassava in raw form
deteriorated in quality after two days.
Therefore,
farmers leave their cassava in the field until the need arises for harvest. It
nutritive value is about 60% of water and are rich in carbohydrate. The roots
are low in protein and lipids but reasonably rich in calcium and vitamin C.
Products from cassava when consumed with some energy dense protein and
nutrient, rich in supplementary foods such as beans and oil seeds, pulses and
fishes provide energy in adequate diet (FAO,2000). Cassava plays a very active
role in household food security in Nigeria and Ohaukwu in particular, as it can
be stored for long periods when processed and also available through out the
year. The improved cassava varieties yielded very well in the farm, and have
been slow to adopt by farmers based on factors such as unfamiliarties, to most
farmers, have never had opportunity to try them and therefore do not know
whether they will like them or not.(Word Bank,2000). The participation rate of
farmers in using farm machineries and tools in cultivation of ridges for
cassava production and use of agrochemical like fertilizers, pesticides and
herbicides in weeding in Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi state is still
un-popular. Therefore, for the participation of improved varieties of cassava
to be increased, there is need for qualitative extension service among farmers
(Oladosu, 2003). However, the extent of participation of improved technologies
need to be determined among farmers in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi
state.
However,
Vitamin A deficiency has been one of the major health problems faced by rural
poor in Nigeria. One of the staple foods
consumed by these rural poor is cassava which contains eligible amount of
carotenoids in many areas of the developing world. Cassava is widely grown in Nigeria, which is the
world’s largest producer of cassava with yearly quantities of over 40 million
metric tons (CBN, 2004). Vitamin A
remains a very important component of human nutrition, as it is involved in
vision, cell differentiation, synthesis of glycoprotein, reproduction and
overall growth and development (Woolfe, 1992).
Vitamin A problem and the severity of the consequences, prevention and
therapy become a ubiquitous concern (WHO, 1996). There is a general agreement
that dietary diversification would be the ideal remedy to address the
micronutrient malnutrition (Bouis, 2002).
In this context, biofortification has to be seen as a new food-based
intervention that relies on agriculture to increase the nutritional quality of crops. As such, biofortification has the potential
to complement the existing micronutrient interventions, in particular by
targeting the rural poor who eat large quantities of staple crops and often
have little access to commercially processed food i.e. among whom the impact of
industrial fortification is limited (Tanumihardjo et al., 2008). Enhancing the
regular vitamin A supply through food-and-agriculture-based approaches can
reduce child mortality due to common childhood diseases. Genetic improvement of cassava by natural
selective breeding is a very promising first-line intervention (Verhoef,
2010).
The
Nigerian Government released the three new pro-vitamin A cassava varieties that
could provide more vitamin A in the diets of more than 70 million Nigerians who
eat cassava everyday. Children and women
will be the main beneficiaries of these new yellow varieties which could
provide up to 25% of their daily vitamin A needs. Varieties with enough vitamin A to provide up
to half of daily needs are already in the breeding pipeline and should be ready
for release in a few years (Kulakow et al., 2011). More than 250 million
Africans rely on the starchy root crop cassava (Manihot Esculenta) as their
staple source of calories (Sayre et al., 2011).
A typical cassava-based diet, however, provides less than 30% of the
minimum daily requirement for the protein and only 10%-20% of that for iron,
zinc, and vitamin A. Vitamin A
deficiency is widely prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa. It afflicts almost 20% of pregnant women and
about 30% of children under-five in Nigeria.
Vitamin A deficiency can lower immunity and impair vision, which can
lead to blindness and even death.
Babatunde (2012) noted that large component of vulnerable population,
women of child-bearing age and children in areas where cassava consumption is
high are at risk of Pro-vitamin A deficiency.
Annually, Nigeria looses over US$1.5 billion in GDP to vitamin and
mineral deficiencies as many staple foods are low in essential
micronutrients. Based on this,
researchers at the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI),
Umudike engage to develop
cassava varieties enriched with pro-vitamin A.
pro-vitamin A cassava was developed through conventional breeding
similar to most other improved varieties cultivated by farmers in Nigeria.
Nevertheless, it is not yet certain of the participation of pro-vitamin A
(biofortified) cassava. The need to understand participation pattern and level
of pro-vitamin A (biofortified) cassava in the various ADP zones in the state
has necessitated this study.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Pro-vitamin A cassava deficiency has been one
of the major health problems faced by rural poor in Nigeria. One of the staple foods consumed by these
rural poor is cassava which contains eligible amount of carotenoids in many
areas of the developing world. Cassava
is widely grown in Nigeria, which is the world’s largest producer of cassava
with yearly quantities of over 40 million metric tons (CBN, 2004). Pro-vitamin
A cassava remains a very important component of human nutrition, as it is
involved in vision, cell differentiation, synthesis of glycoprotein,
reproduction and overall growth and development (Woolfe, 1992). Pro-vitamin A cassava problem and the
severity of the consequences, prevention and therapy become a ubiquitous
concern (WHO, 1996).Therefore, this study examined the participation pattern of
pro-vitamin A technology among farmers in Ohaukwu L.G.A in Ebonyi State. The
specific objectives of the study were to: examine the pattern and level of
awareness of pro-vitamin A cassava technology by farmers in the study area,
determine participation pattern and level of pro-vitamin A cassava technology
by farmers, identify constraints in the participation
of pro-vitamin A cassava technology by farmers in the study area, determine
the relationship between respondents’
awareness level and participation of pro-vitamin A cassava technology and
establish relationship between constraint variables and participation of
pro-vitamin A cassava technology.
1.3 Objective of the Study
The main
objective of the study is to identify the constraints to the participation and
participation of farmers on improved cassava varieties in the study area while
the specific objectives are to:
i.
identify
the socio economic characteristics of respondents
ii.
identify
the activities of participations on Pro-vitamin A cassava production by
respondents
iii.
to ascertain
the levels of participation of respondents in the Production of Pro-vitamin A
cassava in Ohaukwu Local Government of Ebonyi State.
iv.
determine
the effect of socio-economic characteristics of respondent on participation
v.
Identify
the constraints to farmers participation in Pro-vitamin “A” cassava production
in the study area.
1.4 Justification of the Study
The
importance of cassava to resource-poor farmers in Nigeria cannot be
overemphasized. Currently, Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava.
The total area harvested in 2009 was 3.13 million hectares (ha), with
production estimated at 36.8 million metric tons and average yield at 11.7 tons/ha–1
(FAOSTAT 2010). Cassava has a special capacity to bridge the gap in food
security, poverty alleviation, and environmental protection (Clair and Etukudo
2000). But, while cassava roots are rich in energy, containing mainly starch
and soluble carbohydrates, its nutritive value is low (Okigbo 1980).
The
HarvestPlus program was initiated to improve the vitamin A status of
resource-poor farming households, especially women and children in developing
countries such as Nigeria. The project facilitated breeding and delivery
activities for micronutrient-dense cassava varieties, which are suitable for
many agroecological conditions (Oparinde et al. 2014). These varieties are
expected to be adopted by farmers to improve their uptake of vitamin A.
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