Utilization of Modern Cassava Processing Techniques among Small Holder Rural Women Processor in Ondo state, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the utilization of cassava processing techniques among rural women in Owo and Akoko South West Local Government Areas of Ondo State. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting one hundred users of cassava processing techniques. Interview schedule was the main tool used for data collection while frequency counts, charts and percentages were used in analyzing the data. The results show that 58% of the respondents are within the age range of 31 – 50 years and that 71% of them were married. It was observed that majority of the respondents (95.0%) asserted that modern cassava processing techniques saves time while 84.0 percent opined that lack of operating skills do not prevent the adoption of modern cassava processing techniques. 71.0 percent of the respondents utilized some cassava processing techniques before and later abandoned it because these techniques are time wasted and energy sapping. Also, 98.0 percent of the respondents agreed that age has effect on the use of modern cassava processing techniques (X² = 2.40, p < 0.05), marital status (X² = 1.03, p < 0.05), household size (X² = 8.81, p < 0.05), Religion (X² = 4.07, p < 0.05) and level of education (X² = 1.35, p < 0.05).  Technologies introduced through the extension agents must be relevant to the needs of rural women who are the users and the degree of their sophistication should not be beyond their comprehension.

Keywords: Utilization, Cassava processing, Rural women.