ABSTRACT
Yellow cassava is an excellent source of -carotene and energy and it is known to show a delay in the onset off post-harvest deterioration which can be helpful in the acceptance of the crop for both farmers and consumers. The study examined economics of yellow root cassava (Vitamin A biofortified) production in Oriire local Government area of Oyo state, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of yellow root cassava farmers, identified the varieties of yellow root cassava available to the farmers, investigated the cassava production practices and experience of respondents, estimated the cost and returns to yellow root cassava production enterprise and identified the challenges to yellow root cassava production enterprise in the study area
A multistage sampling technique was used to select one hundred and twenty (120) respondents and data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics, cost and returns analysis as well as regression analysis.
The result of the findings showed that, 44.2 percent of the respondents were between 41-50 years with the mean age of 43.5 years, 73.3 percent of the respondents were male, 60.0 percent of the respondents spent 11-15 years in school with an average of 11 years, primary occupations engaged in by the respondents include farming (84.2%), 41.2percent belonged to farmers association, 97.5 percent of the respondents got the information concerning yellow root cassava varieties from OYSADEP field extension agents, 1.7 percent got the information from IITA while only 0.8 percent got it from radio programme, the yellow root cassava varieties endorsed of by the respondent include TMS 07/593 (100.0%), TMS 01/1649 (4.2%) while only 1.7 percent were aware of TMS 30573. Exactly 55.0 percent of the respondents had 3-4 years of experience in yellow root cassava production with the mean found to be 4.3 years. The average area of land cultivated by respondents found to be 1.3 hectares. The enterprise was found to be profitable with BCR of 1.50. The results of the regression analysis showed that age (p≤0.05), household size (p≤0.01), age years of schooling (p≤0.05), years of farming experience (p≤0.05), age farm size (p≤0.05), cost of cassava stem (p≤0.01), transportation cost (p≤0.05), rent on land (p≤0.01) and depreciation cost of implements (p≤0.01) were significantly related with revenue generated from yellow root cassava production. Most pressing facing respondents include scarcity of cassava cultivars, poor marketing network, inadequate of land for planting and inadequate lands for planting.
The study concluded that yellow root cassava production is a profitable enterprise in the study area and recommends that the varieties of yellow root cassava should be made available by the government and the concerned Non-governmental organizations to yellow root cassava farmers for improving their standard of living and enhance productivity.
