Differentials in adoption stages of improved cassava production technologies among small-holder farmers in Anambra State: A gender situation analyses

This study was designed to estimate and compare the stages of adoption of cassava production technologies by gender. A multi-Stage random sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents. Primary data was collected from a sample of equal proportion of male (60) and female (60) farmers and analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics (mean, frequency and percentage), and Z-test. The socioeconomic results showed that the mean age of male farmers was 49 years while that of females was 48 years. About 38.33% of males attained primary while 43.33% of females attained secondary school. Male farmers had a mean farming experience of 20 years while female had mean farming experience of 23 years. The Z statistics showed a significant difference in the mean adoption stages between male and female farmers. The result showed that Female farmers had high level of trial and adoption while male farmers had higher level at evaluation stage. The result is an indication that male farmers were late adopters while female farmers were early adopters. Male farmers had high cost of inputs and lack of access to processing machines as the most constraints affecting the adoption of innovative technologies while poor road network, lack of access to processing machines and lack of extension agent visitation were the major constraints affecting the adoption of technological innovation by female farmers. The results call for policies that would aim at encouraging farmers to adopt innovative technologies introduced to them and access to extension for efficient dissemination of improved technologies.Keywords: Stages, Adoption, Cassava technologies and Gende

Differentials in market participation among cocoyam farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to empirically investigate determinants of market participation among cocoyam farmers in Udenu, Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu state. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain data from the respondents. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and probit regression analytical procedure. The results of the descriptive statistics showed that majority of the respondents were females (65%) who had an average farm size of 4ha and 10 years farming experience. The coefficient of gender and household size had an indirect relationship with market participation at 10% level of significance respectively. The coefficient of farming experience and income had a direct relationship with market participation at 5% and 10% level of probability each. The study recommends policies targeted at the provision of storage facilities and processing machines to avoid post-harvest losses, access to micro credit facilities should be encouraged, access to farm input such as pesticides, fertilizers and improved planting materials at affordable rates, good infrastructure (road network), and training of farmers should go a long way in strengthening and promoting market participation for cocoyam in the study area.Keywords: Cocoyam, Market and Participatio