ABSTRACT

Cassava production is one the enterprises in agricultural business which provide the basic food requirement. It has been said that the acid tests for the progressiveness of a nation's agriculture is its ability to provide basic food requirement. This project was undertaken to survey the problem militating against cassava production in Urnunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State. For effective coverage, out of 100 questionnaires distributed, ninety-six (96) were completed and returned. Also three (3) extension agents were interviewed. The results of the analysis revealed that (1) Sixty-one percent of the respondents were females. This confirms the gender division of farm activities. (2) Sixty percent of the land use for cassava production is below 3 hectares meaning that there is lack of adequate land for cassava production fifty-four percent of the farmer have no access to loan. (3) Sixty- eight percent of the respondents were aged and fifty-four percent were illiterates. This affirms the high level of conservatism and low level of adoption of the new technologies by the farmers as reported by the extension agents or workers. (4) Ninety-three percent of the respondents use crude implements indicating the difficulties in mechanizing cassava production in ITmunneochi L.G.A. Seventy percent of the respondents transport their products on foot because the roads are not accessible. (5) Seventy-eight percent of the respondents have inadequate mark fluidics while eight-seven percent lack adequate storage facilities Thirty-oie percent of the respondents were visited by the extnsion agents or workers. To solve these and other problems, it is recommended that the Government should;(1) Provide adequate marketing facilities to farmers and encoura them to fbnr co-operative societies so as to enable them pool the resources together for better results. (2) Ensure timely provision of adequate inputs and provision of cred facilities by both government and banks to the farmers. (3) Send more efficient extension workers to the local government ai equip them properly to enable them do their jobs effectively well as ensuring that the roads are in good shape.