Level of Adoption of Improved Cassava Technologies in Benue State

Aims: The study aimed to determine the level of adoption of improved cassava technologies in Benue State.

Study Design: The Survey design was adopted for the study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Benue State, between September 2018 and March 2019.

Methodology: Cluster and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 336 respondents for the study. Primary data were collected using Semi-structured questionnaire. The objectives were achieved using descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies and means and Rank ordered analysis.

Results: The improved cassava technologies in Benue state were identified to include; TMS 0505, TMS 0581, TMS 30572, TMS 01/1368, TMS 96/1632, TMS 92/0326, TME 419, NR 8082.The result revealed that the percentage awareness for TMS 0505 was high 65% (238) but the adoption of TMS 0505 was low 32% (78). There is moderate awareness level for TMS 0581 49% (179) and TMS 02/1368 56% (294) with moderate adoption 55% (98) and 53% (109) respectively. Also, the awareness level for TMS 92/0326 is high 72% (265) with moderate adoption 44% (116); TME 419 and NR 8082 had high awareness level 85% (311) and 88% (323) with high adoption 65% (201) and 68% (221) respectively. The result also revealed that famers complained that the improved cassava varieties cannot store for a long time in the farm 93% (342) and that there is no market to sale increased quantity of cassava roots.

Conclusion: Thus it was concluded that there is generally high level of awareness of improved cassava varieties in Benue state but with moderate to low adoption rate.

The study thus recommend that farmers should be consulted and their needs should always be considered in such development ventures. This will ensure high adoption and high impact as well.