The Economic Problems of Cassava Production
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main objective of the study is to analyse the problem of cassava production in Itu Local Government Area of AkwaIbom State. The sub-objective include:
- To ascertain the factors that hinders cassava production in Itu LGA.
- To examine the various factors which influenced and limit cassava cultivation in Itu Local Government Area.
- To determine the profitability of cassava production in Itu Local Government Area.
- To determine the impact of cassava production on the economic development of Itu LGA
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
Cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) is its binomial. It is a popular food crop and its popularity cannot be disputed in many countries including Thailand, Brazil, India and several West African countries. Cassava is a multi-dimensional food crop which was likely first domesticated not more than 10,000 years BP by 6600 BC. It likely originated further in Northern Brazil and Central America. Its high food potential made it a staple food for pre-Columbian people in Portuguese. However, cassava was introduced to traders in Warri, the then Bendel State of Nigeria, in the 16th – 17th century. Cassava has replaced traditional African crops as the continent’s second most important staple food. It is a woody shrub cultivated because of its edible starchy tuberous roots. Cassava is sometimes described as the “bread of the tropics”.
Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of Cassava, Thailand is the largest exporting country of dried cassava and in the subtropical region of Southern China, Cassava is the fifth largest crop produced. Cassava is the third largest source of food carbohydrate in the tropics and also an important source of food which gives the highest yield of food energy per cultivated area per day among crop plant except possibly for sugarcane. Cassava plays a particularly important role in agriculture especially in a developing economy like Nigeria. Cassava has its own inherent characteristics which makes it unique from other food crop. It yields well on poor soils even with low rainfall and because it is a perennial it can be harvested as required
The importance of cassava to many Africans is epitomized in (Ewe – A language spoken in Ghana, Togo and Benin) in the name for the plant, “Agbeli” meaning “there is life”. Cassava varieties are often categorized as either sweet or bitter respectively which signifies the absence or presence of highly toxic level of cyanogenic glucosides which are linamarin and lotaustralin. A dose of 40 mg of pure cassava cyanogenic glucoside is sufficient to kill a cow. And societies that traditionally eat cassava generally understands that one form of processing (Drying, soaking, cooking, fermentation, etc.) is necessary to avoid getting sick.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to the economic problems of cassava production
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the economic problems of cassava production
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of the economic problems of cassava production
Summary
This study the economic problems of cassava production. Four objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the factors that hinders cassava production in Itu LGA, to examine the various factors which influenced and limit cassava cultivation in Itu Local Government Area, to determine the profitability of cassava production in Itu Local Government Area and to determine the impact of cassava production on the economic development of Itu LGA. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 farmers in Itu local government area of Akwa Ibom state were selected. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made male farmers, female farmers, youths and traders were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
Cassava production in the study is done on a medium scale, Most of the cassava farmers had constraints of availability of improved variety, disease, infection, pest infestation, transportation and marketing problems though at different levels Most of the cassava farmers operate multiple cropping systems. All of them had contact with extension officer. Cassava production is profitable in the study area,
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