Original Research Article

Examining the Adoption of Improved Cassava Processing Technologies among Women in Abaji Area Council, Abuja: Implications for Sustainable Farming Practices

Samson Olayemi Sennuga^1*, Joseph Bamidele², Adebisi Olateju Omole³, Sunday Suleman Onjewu¹ and Bankole Osho-Lagunju¹

¹Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, FCT, P.M.B. 117, Abuja, Nigeria
²Faculty of Business and Law, University of Northampton, Waterside Campus, University Drive, Northampton NN1 5PH, United Kingdom
³Head, Extension Services, FCT Agricultural Development Programme, Abuja

*Corresponding Author’s Email: dr.yemisennuga@yahoo.co.uk

Received: 20 June 2023  I  Accepted: 21 July 2023  I  Published: 26 July 2023  I  Article ID: MRJASSS23022
Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.
This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0.

Abstract

The research study was carried out to investigate women's adoption of enhanced cassava processing technology in Abaji Area Council. 152 respondents were selected at random. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and the Z-test statistic were utilized as analytical tools. According to the findings, the respondents' average age was 35. Age, household size, processing experience, and association participation were significant predictors of the adoption of better cassava processing technology, in accordance to the regression analysis. The coefficient of determination (R2) turned out to be 0.47, indicating that the model's chosen parameters could account for 47% of the variability in the adoption of enhanced cassava processing technology. Indicating that the respondents' output and income increased following the adoption of enhanced cassava processing technologies, the Z-stat (20.04) for output was higher than the Z-critical (1.98) and the Z-stat (24.30) for income was higher than the Z-critical (1.98) respectively. Both of these differences were significant at p<0.05. The respondents' main challenges include poor financing, poor extension contacts, expensive cassava tubers, and expensive cassava processing machine rental fees. The study came to the conclusion that household size, age, processing experience, and association membership were significant and should be taken into account for assuring widespread adoption of enhanced cassava processing methods. Consequently, it is advised that the female cassava processors establish cooperatives so that they can pool their financial resources for future investment. By providing services, particularly in areas that exhibit low adoption in this study, such the mechanical sifter and fryer, the extension services on better cassava processing technologies should be emphasized in the study area. Governmental and non-governmental organizations should provide women who process cassava with improved technologies.

Keywords: Adoption, technologies, cassava, sustainable, farming, practices