Effectiveness of Cassava Women Processors in Value Addition Technologies in Abia State, Nigeria

Subject Areas : Agricultural Extension

K. M  Okoroafor ¹ (Department of Rural Sociology and Extension Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria)
C. U  Nwaobiala ² (Department of Rural Sociology and Extension Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria)

Received: 2015-12-24 Accepted : 2015-12-24 Published : 2014-09-01

Keywords: effectiveness, Women, Cassava, Technologies, Value addition,

Abstract :

This study analyzed the effectiveness of cassava women processors in value addition technologies in Abia State, Nigeria. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select ninety (90) women. Data for the study were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics such as: frequency, mean scores and percentages and inferential statistics (Tobit regression analysis). The socio-economic characteristics of the women revealed that a 63.33% of the women were married, with mean age of 49.5 years, mean processing experience of 4.5 years and mean annual processing N226,500 (4,190.25 USD). The result also revealed that the processors effectively utilized ( =2.65) cassava value added technologies in the study area. The Tobit regression estimates of the determinants of effectiveness of women in cassava value addition indicate that coefficients for processing experience, level of education and access to credit were positive and significant at 1%, 5% and 5% levels of probability respectively, while coefficients for marital status and age were negative and significant at different levels of probability. The study therefore recommends sustainability in training and re-training of women in cassava value addition technologies, group formation and access to credit by women in order to promote effectiveness in cassava value addition technologies in the study area.

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