ABSTRACT
This study was designed to examine the effect of root and
tuber programme on commercialization of root and tuber crops in Abia State of
Nigeria. Root and tuber crops have grown in importance as a major component of
Nigerian diets with its consumption increasing per year. Primary and secondary
data were used in the study. This study was undertaken in the three
agricultural zones in the State. One local government area was chosen from Aba
zone and 2 local government areas each were chosen from Umuahia and Ohafia
zone, making is a total of five local government areas from the three
agricultural zones. Multistage random sampling was adopted in selecting 90
respondents from the study. Fifty were beneficiaries and 40 were
non-beneficiaries of root and tuber expansion programme (RTEP). A
well-structural questionnaire was used in eliciting information from
respondents. Data collected were analyzed using statistical tools as
frequencies, percentages, averages, correlation coefficient, chow test,
household commercialization index and regression. The result of the data
analysis showed the mean ages of the beneficiaries and non beneficiaries as 43
years and 30 years respectively. The beneficiaries had 27 males and 23 females
while non beneficiaries had 21 males and 19 females. The bulk of the farmers
are married and the mean household size was 7 and 7 respectively for the
beneficiaries and non beneficiaries. Ninety four percent and 83 percent of the
beneficiaries and non beneficiaries had one form of 0 formal education or the
other ranging from primary to tertiary education. The mean hectarage cultivated
by the beneficiaries and non beneficiaries were 2.74 and 1.34 hectares
respectively. The result further showed the beneficiaries to be more
experienced than the non beneficiaries shown by the mean farming experience of
16 years against 14 years.The beneficiaries had a mean annual farm income from
$ farming and other sources of about N19,500 as against N74,975 of the
nonbeneficiaries from agricultural development programme (ADP) and national
Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRJ) Umudike in form of planting materials.
The result also showed the beneficiaries had more commercialization indexes,
output and marketable surpluses for the different crop enterprises than the non
beneficiaries. The result of the regression analyses showed that farm size and
years of farming experience were positive and significant determinants of
agricultural commercialization. The result showed that root and tuber expansion
programme (RTEP) had a positive effect on commercialization of these root and
tuber crops. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that
policies that will enable the farmers to remain in root and tuber crop
production be encouraged and strengthened. This will encourage
commercialization and employ more use of farm resources so as to achieve
increased productivity and profitability should be put in place.
NNANA, N (2021). Effect Of Root And Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP) On Commercialization Of Root And Tuber Crops In Abia State, Nigeria.. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Nov 10, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/effect-of-root-and-tuber-expansion-programme-rtep-on-commercialization-of-root-and-tuber-crops-in-abia-state-nigeria-7-2
NNEOMA, NNANA. "Effect Of Root And Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP) On Commercialization Of Root And Tuber Crops In Abia State, Nigeria." Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 26 Oct. 2021, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/effect-of-root-and-tuber-expansion-programme-rtep-on-commercialization-of-root-and-tuber-crops-in-abia-state-nigeria-7-2. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.
NNEOMA, NNANA. "Effect Of Root And Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP) On Commercialization Of Root And Tuber Crops In Abia State, Nigeria.". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 26 Oct. 2021. Web. 10 Nov. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/effect-of-root-and-tuber-expansion-programme-rtep-on-commercialization-of-root-and-tuber-crops-in-abia-state-nigeria-7-2 >.
NNEOMA, NNANA. "Effect Of Root And Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP) On Commercialization Of Root And Tuber Crops In Abia State, Nigeria." Mouau.afribary.org (2021). Accessed 10 Nov. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/effect-of-root-and-tuber-expansion-programme-rtep-on-commercialization-of-root-and-tuber-crops-in-abia-state-nigeria-7-2