Impact of Improved Cassava Technology Adoption on Farmers Output in Benue State, Nigeria

Aims: The aim of the study was to ascertain the impact of the adoption of improved cassava technology on the output of farmers in Benue state, Nigeria.

Study Design: The study used Survey design.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Benue State, between November 2018 and May 2019.

Methodology: Cluster and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 366 respondents for the study. Primary data were collected using Semi-structured questionnaire.

Objective 1 was achieved using descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies and means while Objective 2 was achieved using multiple regression model.

Results: The findings showed that the adoption of improved cassava technologies influenced the farmers in a number of ways which included increased farmers income (56%: 2.10), acquired new skills (75%:); increased output (76%: ); expanded production (67%: ); ensured more food at home (food security) ( 85%: ); and increased well being of adopters (80%: ). The result also revealed that improved cassava technologies adoption have significant impact on farmers output in Benue State was accepted. This was indicated by F-stat value of 33.42 and F-probe value of 0.000 of less than 0.05, indicating that the estimated regression model adopted in this study was statistically significant at 1%. The R2 value of 0.75 implied that 75% of dependent variable (farmers output) was explained by the independent variables (TSM0505, TSM0581, TSM0572, TMS011368, TMS961632, TMS920326 TME 419, NR8082).

Conclusion: Thus it was concluded that improved cassava technologies adoption have significant impact on farmers output in Benue State The study thus recommend that Extension agencies should ensure that improved cassava technologies are accessible by farmers and that farmers acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in using such technologies. This will ensure high adoption and high impact as well.