Assessment of Cassava Peels Utilization among Agro-Forestry Farmers in Sakpoba Forest Reserve in Edo State
Abstract
Significant quantities of peels are generated from cassava processing and are inappropriately disposed thereby, constituting a source of environmental pollution. This study assessed the utilization of cassava peels generated among the agroforestry farmers in Sakponba forest reserve area of Edo State, Nigeria. A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from one hundred and twenty (120) agro-forestry farmers using an interview schedule. Percentages and frequency count were used to analyse the objectives of the study. Results showed that majority (69.2%) of the respondents are male and about 40.8% small scale farmers with annual income between N200,000 to N500,000. Majority (78.3%) of the farmers indiscriminately disposed the cassava peels and about 84.2% had no information on the effective utilization of the peels. Using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation, there was a significant relationships (p < 0.05) between the level of utilization (r = 0.022) and the constraints to cassava peels utilization in the study area. The study therefore concluded that the level of cassava peel utilization in the study area is low and as such, huge amount of peels are discarded on a daily basis; also there are limited options and inadequate time for effective utilization of the peels. It was recommended that extension services from relevant agencies targeted on how best to utilized cassava peels should be more vigorously pursued, to increase household income and reduce environmental pollution caused by the indiscriminate disposal.
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