Assessment of the Level of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato Production among Small Scale Women Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria
Abstract
The study was conducted among women in Abia State Nigeria to assess the level of orange fleshed sweet potato production. A Mmulti- stage sampling technique was used to select 108 respondents for the study. Data were collected with structured questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics (such as frequency distribution, percentages, mean), and ordinary least square regression analysis. A three point rating rating scale was used to present the participation of farmers in orange fleshed sweet potato production. The result showed a high level of participation in orange fleshed sweet potato planting( 2.7), harvesting ( 2.7), weeding (2.5), land clearing (2.4), ridging/mounding (2.4) and processing (2.0) activities. The major factors affecting orange fleshed sweet potato production were unavailability of planting materials (-6.520)***, pests (5.4472)*** cost of labour (-5.864)***, cost of processing (5.5845)***, lack of knowledge/skill (5.3247) *** and age (2.71)** which were significant at various levels of probabilities. The major challenges in the production of orange fleshed sweet potato among the respondents were lack of finance, land issues, poor storage facilities and inaccessibility of credit facilities. Based on these findings, it is recommended that farmers should be provided with funds, improved seeds, storage and credit facilities for increased sweet potato production in the study area.
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