Browsing by Author "Abass, A., Okechukwu, R., Gworgwor, N., Amaza, P. & Awoyale, W."

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    Comparative field evaluation of mechanized and manual cassava production operations: the case of cassava farmers in the Ogun state of Nigeria.
    (2021-09-02) Abass, A., Okechukwu, R., Gworgwor, N., Amaza, P. & Awoyale, W.
    In 2015, mechanized technologies for planting and harvesting cassava were introduced to farmers involved in the Cassava Value Chain (CVC) in Ogun State of Nigeria for testing. This study comparatively analysed the profitability of cassava produc tion under mechanized and manual operations. Partial budgeting was used to compare costs and benefits of the new innovations with manual process. The comparison was based on data obtained from farmers in volved in an effort to enhance the competitiveness of high quality cassava flour (HQCF). The results revealed that yields from harvested 20 Paul S. Amaza Professor of Agricultural Economics, Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of Jos, Plateau State, NIGERIA amazap@unijos.edu.ng Wasiu Awoyale Ph.D., Scientist International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Oyo Road, Ibadan, NIGERIA fresh cassava roots on mechanically planted cassava farm plots increased by 38% over the manually planted cassava farm plots. The main gain associated with the mechanized process was the relatively lower costs associated with planting and harvesting operations, which were cheaper over the manual operations by 55% and 59%, respectively. The mechanically and manually planted cassava farm plots have a gross margin of $491/ha and $296/ha, re spectively. Comparison of these lev els of profitability showed that the mechanized operations were rela tively more profitable and exceeded the manual farm operations by 83%. Thus, the study concludes that the mechanization of cassava plant ing and harvesting, combined with high-yielding variety and comple mentary agronomic practices, can lead to higher competitiveness and economic break-through for cas sava farmers in Africa. Therefore, we recommend increased efforts to scale-up mechanized cassava pro duction operations, including build ing the capacity of cassava farmers with regards to improved production technologies and crop management practices.