ABSTRACT

The National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (lITA) Ibadan along with several Universities in the country have over the years developed, improved cassava cultivars capable of tripling cassava yields per unit area. In addition, there have been several programmes to extend these varieties through the National Accelerated Food Production Programme (NAFPP) National Seed Service and State f\'linistry of Agricultural to farmers in Abia State in general and Abia South Agricultural Zone in particular. However the extent to which there has been changes in cassava yield per unit area, income improvement to rural households, and the extent of traditional and/or improved utilization of cassava after several years of research and extension in the area remains in doubt. If the projected programme of cassava production in the on-going Agricultural Development Programme (APP) in Abia State is to have desired impact, ii must be based on adequate knowledge of the study and analysis of factors that influenced production and utilization. The general objective of this study was to investigate the status of cassava production and utilization in Abia South Agricultural zone of Abia State with particular emphasis on the potential of NRCRI I IlTA improved varieties as a replacement lbr the traditional varieties. To achieve this objective a structured questionnaire mainly based on interval scales was prepared, pre-tested and administered on seventy-eight (78) respondents selected through cluster and random sampling in the Abia Scuth agricultural zone using personal interview technique. The data were subjected to frequency, T-test, percentages, means, standard deviation analyses. Results show that less than one hectare of farmer's farm of 3.2ha was cultivated with improved variety. Cassava was processed into gari, akpu, flakes and chips, which are used for consumption. Poor attitude towards improved varieties, unavailability of planting materials and unawareness that improved varieties existed were among the reasons given for non-cultivation of new varieties. The most important problems of farmers include high labour-costs, lack of funds, diseases and pests, and lack of planting materials. In order to get more farmers to cultivate improved varieties it is recommended that an integrated extension campaign be mounted in the area to create awareness in and favourable attitude towards improved varieties as well as train farmers and make available improved cassava cuttings.