ABSTRACT

The study examined the determinants of production and commercialization of Cocoyam in Abia State. The specific objectives include to; determine the socio-economic characteristics of Cocoyam Farmers, examine the factors that affect cocoyam production, categorize the farmers based on the level of commercialization, identify tile constraints in cocoyam Production and Commercialization. Tile study was carried out in Abia State. Multistage random sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents. Tile data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ordinary least square method and commercialization index as detailed below. The result indicates that female household heads (76.7%) dominated farming in tile area. Many (48.9%) of cocoyam farmers are married. The farmers are educated. About 52.2% attended secondary schools while 21.1% attended tertiary education. 1-lighest farming experience ranged between 11 to 20 years (45.6%) and the majority of the respondents are aged between 51 to 60 years (46.7%). The coefficients for age and farming experience were positively signed and significant at 5% level each while education and farm size were also positive and significant at 1% level each. Tile results also show that sex was positively signed and significant at 10% level. Cocoyarn farmers are moderately oriented towards market production (42.1%). Marketing problems (81 .J%), low soil fertility (80.0%), high incidence of pest and disease infestation (74.4%), small farm size (72.2%) high cost of inorganic fertilizer (72.2%), difficulty in obtaining credit facilities (61.1%) and poor access to good roads for transportation (60.0%), in the order listed, are identified as the constraints to cocoyam production and commercialization  the respondents. It is recommended that the level of education and experience of cocoyam farmers be increased through awareness campaigns and dissemination of research information and findings of research institutes through extension services, television and radio programs.