CHAPTER ONE
1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUNND OF THE STUDY
Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a perennial shrub of the family Euphorbiaceae, cultivated mainly for its
starchy roots. It is one of the most important food staples in the tropics,
where it is the fourth most important source of energy. On a worldwide basis,
it is ranked as the sixth most important source of calorie in human diet (FAO,
1999). Given the crop’s tolerance to poor soil and harsh climatic condition, it
is generally cultivated by small-scale farmers as a subsistence crop in a
diverse range of agricultural and food systems. Although cassava is a perennial
crop, the storage roots can be harvested from 6 to 24 months after planting,
depending on the cultivar and the growing condition (El-sharkawy, 1993). In the
humid lowland tropics, the roots can be harvested after 6 to 7 months (Cock,
1984). Moreover the root can be left in the ground without harvesting for a
long period of time, and making a very useful crop against famine (Cardoso and
Souza, 1999).
Cassava can be propagated from either
stem cutting or sexual seed, but the former is the commonest practice.
Propagation from true seed occurs under natural condition and is widely used in
breeding programme. Plants from true seed take longer to become established,
and they are smaller and less vigorous than plants from stem cuttings. The
seedlings are genetically segregated into different types due to their
reproduction by cross-pollination. If propagated by stem cutting under
favourable condition, sprouting and adventitious rooting occurs after one week.
Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a shrub reaching a height of 1 to 4m, it is
commonly known as tapioca, manioc, mandioca and yucca in different parts of the
world. Cassava belongs to the dicotyledon family Euphorbiaceae, the genus Manihot
is reported to have about 100 species, among which is the only commercial
cultivated one is Manihot esculenta Crantz.
Manihot esculenta Crantz is of two
different type which are erect and spreading type. The morphological
characteristics of cassava are highly variable, which indicates a high degree
of inter-species hybridization. There are many germplasm banks of institute
which includes Centro International de Agricultural Tropical (CIAT), Colombia,
with approximately 4700 accessions (Bonierbale et al, 1997), followed by EMBRAPA’s collection in Cruz das Almas,
Bahia, with around 1700 accessions (Fukuda et
AL, 1997), etc. cassava has a fibrous root system ranging from 3 to 10 and
also a true root which cannot be used for vegetative propagation.
Cassava storage root is basically
divided into three distinct tissues; bark (periderm), peel (cortex) and
parenchyma. The parenchyma which is the edible portion comprises approximately
85% of the total weight, consisting of xylem vessels radially distributed in a
matrix of starch – containing cells (Wheatley and Chuzel, 1993). The peel layer
which comprises of sclerenchyma, cortical parenchyma and phloem, is 11 - 20% of
root weight (Barrios and Bressan, 1967), while periderm is 3% of the root
weight.
1.2
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The general objective of the study is
economic review of cassava technologies adoption in Afikpo-North Local
Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The specific objectives are:
i.
To
determine the importance of cassava production in Afikpo-North L.G.A.
ii.
To
determine the level of technologies required in order to boost cassava
production in Afikpo-North L.G.A.
1.3
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Cassava (Manihot esculenta) traditionally had been a staple food in most
parts of the country with expanding acceptability. Cassava production in
Nigeria suffered a severe setback in 1970s and 1980s due to epidemic of cassava
mosaic disease (CMD), cassava mealy bug (CMB) and cassava green mite (CGM) and
government has dealt the issue with new varieties and bio-control measures
which has not fully eradicate the problems.
In view of the above problems, some
pertinent question ns may be asked. Thus, what are the sources of input for
cassava producers in Afikpo-North, what is the levels of technologies,
investment and output? Is cassava profitable and what is the level of
profitability? What are the marketing outlets available to cassava farmers in
Afikpo-North? What are the prospects and problems of cassava production in Afikpo-North Local Government Area?
It is therefore, possible to conclude
that the major problems are;
i. If cassava production is
profitable or not?
ii. If the necessary technologies has
been adopted or not?
1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
In line with the objective, the
following hypothesis will be tested.
H0 = x1, x2
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
xn = 0
H1 = x1, x2
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - xn ˃ 0
Where x1 - - - - -, xn
was the coefficient of the estimating parameters analysized.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This research project was limited to
Afikpo-North L.G.A. , and considered the economic review of cassava
technologies adoption in Afikpo-North L.G.A. of Ebonyi State of Nigeria.
1.6
JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
The use of technology in the
production of cassava (Manihot esculenta)
is now a known way in Afikpo-North L.G.A. of Ebonyi State. This is as a result
of its economic importance both for industries and domestic uses. Technology
adoption is the right instrument in cassava production but the fact of price,
farmers make use of alternative method. This study is therefore intended to
enlighten the farmers on how to use technologies in their farms instead of
cultural method in order to improve productivity.
1.7
DURATION OF THE STUDY
In carrying out this research work,
materials were sourced from different prospectus and was concern on the month
of April. 2016 and ended on the month of August. The duration of this work was
4 months.