Utilization of sweetpotato based confection technology: A panacea to food crisis among women farmers in Imo State

Utilization of sweet potato-based confectionary was used as a step to reducing food crisis among women farmers in Imo state because of the health benefits, environmental friendliness and ability to make a home food secured with little investments. This is because such technology will help serve as an avenue to reduce food crisis among women. The study identified the demographic characteristics of the women farmers, level of awareness of the technology, level of utilization and constraints associated with utilization of the technology. One hundred and twenty women farmers were sampled in the study area using multi-stage random sampling technique. The study revealed that lack of credit, contact with extension agents and membership of cooperative societies were problems associated with utilization of the technology

Health Implications of Cassava Production and Consumption

The paper examined health issues on production and consumption of cassava. It was revealed that production of cassava is dominated by the use of cassava varieties that contain hydrogen cyanide (HCN) which if consumed without adequate fermentation may be toxic to human. Efforts should be intensified by research institutes to develop more cassava varieties that are low in hydrogen cyanide (HCN) especially in areas where cassava and its products were newly introduced. The use of agrochemicals on cassava farms should be approached with caution. Protective clothing and equipments such as gloves, overall, nose and eyes guards should be provided before applying agrochemicals. Farmers and stakeholders in cassava enterprise should be educated on the need to keep their environment and sources of water free from pathogen and disease causing organisms.Keywords: cassava, health, hydrogen cyanide, agrochemicalsJournal of Agriculture and Social Research (JASR) Vol. 11, No. 1, 201