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EMPIRICAL ESTIMATES OF ADOPTION OF IMPROVED CASSAVA VARIETIES AMONG FARMERS IN AKWAIBOM STATE


C. Nwigwe

Abstract

The study is aimed at estimating and explaining the parameters of the adoption process of the disease-resistant new improved cassava varieties, by farmers in Akwa Ibom State. The main purpose for the development of the varieties is to increase the yield of cassava, which is a famine-reserve crop and rural staple food in Nigeria. Like any other innovation, improved cassava varieties must endure a phase of dissemination. Innovators and policy makers need knowledge of the expected rate of adoption. In this study, a conceptual framework was developed for the decision to adopt or not to adopt and econometric analyses of the diffusion process are presented, using Logistic regression model. The study used a multi-stage sampling procedure to select 112 farmers from the sampled 120 for analyses. Important factors enhancing adoption were education, extension contact and access to improved varieties. To increase the rate of adoption in the study area, emphasis should be on the availability of the improved cassava stems to the farmers and provision of free and affordable education to enhance access and processing of innovations for increased adoption.


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print ISSN: 0300-368X