Farmers' perception and Knowledge need for adoption of new cultivars of cassava in Igabi Local Government Area (LGA), Kaduna State

Abstract

The study examined farmers' perception and knowledge need for adoption new varieties of cassava in Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State. The purpose of the research was to; 1) ascertain how cassava farmers in the area perceive the new varieties of cassava vis-a-vis the technologies required for its propagation, and (2) the relationship between the existing and recommended knowledge of cassava cultivation in the area. Seventy-six respondents used for the study were selected by random sampling while focus group discussion and interview schedule were employed to gather data. Data were analyzed by mean score analysis. The result of the analysis shows that majority (36.8%) were between 30 to 39 years, 89% married and 34.2% had secondary education while 50% had regular extension contact. However, out of the five (5) main recommended production technologies, only twoplanting methods (51.3%) and weeding interval (56.6%) were in line with farmers' previous experience or knowledge. Farmers perceived the new cassava cultivars as beneficial through its high yielding capacity (3.3*), fast maturity (3.1) and disease resistance (2.5) among others, while capital and marketing (3.2 apiece), farm size (3.0) were among the perceived constraints to adoption of the new cultivars. The study recommended among others formation of cooperative society to aid farming activities in the area