Comparative field evaluation of mechanized and manual cassava production operations: the case of cassava farmers in the Ogun state of Nigeria.
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Date
2021-09-02
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Abstract
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.
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Citation
Abass, A., Okechukwu, R., Gworgwor, N., Amaza, P. & Awoyale, W. (2021). Comparative field evaluation of mechanized and manual cassava production operations: the case of cassava farmers in the Ogun state of Nigeria. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America, 52(2): 20-27. https://seb60bdf8ae2d5bbd.jimcontent.com/download/version/1642121500/module/14557161335/name/VOL.52_NO.2_SPRING_2021.pdf.