POTENTIALS FOR THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF COCOYAM IN OYUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Tropical Agriculture, Food, Environment and Extension
Abstract
underutilised, and non-commercialized in many parts of Nigeria. The study assessed the potentials for the commercialisation of cocoyam. Specifically, it assessed farmers’ awareness of the uses of cocoyam, level of cocoyam cultivation, farmers’ attitude towards its commercialisation, and the constraints to its commercialisation. . Descriptive statistics and the multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results revealed that farmers’ mean age, farming experience and farm size were 53.9 years,
22 years, and 4.3 acres respectively. The level of awarenessof the uses of cocoyam was high (73.52%) and had an averagely positive attitude (mean score = 2.38) towards its commercialisation. Cultivation of cocoyam was mostly on a subsistence level among the farmers (97.3%). High susceptibility to pests and diseases (MS = 3.13) and a higher preference for other tuber crops (MS = 3.09) were the major constraints to the commercialisation of cocoyam. Farmers’ age (β = –0.008), level of education (β = –0.046), household size (β = –0.012), and frequency of extension contact (β = 0.018) determined farmers’ attitude towards its commercialisation. The study concluded that the potentials for the commercialization of cocoyam was appreciable in the study area. Findings underscore the need for research on cocoyam pest and diseases control as well as breeding of improved varieties of the plant by National Root Crops Research Institutes.
Description
Keywords
attitude, commercialization, neglected, under-utilized and cocoyam
Citation
Omotesho K.F., Kayode A.O., Adebayo S.A., Akinrinde A.F. & Mohammed A.J (2020): Potentials for the Commercialization of Cocoyam in Oyun Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. Journal of Tropical Agriculture, Food, Environment and Extension. 19 (3) 8 - 14