CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Cassava is a major food and income crop in the southern part of Nigeria, and Delta State is one of the states where it is widely grown and processed into garri, fufu and other products. Improved cassava technologies, including high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties, recommended spacing and planting methods, weed control and better processing, can raise yields and incomes. However, these technologies raise output only when farmers know about them and put them into practice.

Extension agents are the main link between research and farmers, and one of the most common methods they use is the farm visit, in which the agent visits the farmer’s plot to give advice, demonstrate a practice and follow up on earlier recommendations. Nwaobiala (2022) reported that farm visits were the main method used to disseminate Sasakawa cassava-maize intercrop technologies in Abia State, and that extension contact influenced farmers’ adoption. Nwaobiala (2018) likewise found that extension contact influenced adoption of cassava agronomic practices and intercrop technologies in Abia and Imo States, and that extension visits were among the main sources of information. In Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, Onyemekonwu et al. (2026) found that education, cooperative membership, income and extension contact had significant relationships with adoption of innovations among cassava farmers, and they recommended that extension providers should increase their contact with farmers. In Enugu State, Agwu et al. (2017) observed that farmers were still at the interest stage of adopting cassava mosaic disease resistant varieties under the Cassava Enterprise Development Project, and they urged public and private extension agencies to continue their delivery.

Ikoyo-Eweto et al. (2023) examined rural farmers’ access to extension services in Delta State and discussed the implications for increased adoption of improved farm technologies, which shows that access to extension in the state remains a concern for adoption. Ika South Local Government Area is a farming area of Delta State where cassava is grown by many smallholders. Yet there is little documented evidence on how often extension agents visit cassava farmers in the area and whether those visits have led to adoption of improved cassava production technologies. This study seeks to provide such evidence.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Improved cassava varieties and practices are available, but many farmers in Delta State continue to use local planting materials and traditional methods, and their yields remain low. Farm visits are meant to correct this, but the number of extension agents is often small relative to the number of farmers, and agents face problems of transport and funding, which reduces the number of visits a farmer receives.

In Ika South Local Government Area it is not known how frequently extension agents visit cassava farmers, what technologies are promoted during visits, and how far the visits influence adoption. As a result, extension managers cannot decide whether increasing farm visits would improve adoption. This study therefore investigates the influence of extension agents’ farm visits on the adoption of improved cassava production technologies among farmers in Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of the study is to determine the influence of extension agents’ farm visits on the adoption of improved cassava production technologies among farmers in Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State. The specific objectives are to:

(1) describe the socio-economic characteristics of cassava farmers in the study area;

(2) determine the frequency of farm visits by extension agents to the farmers;

(3) identify the improved cassava production technologies promoted during farm visits;

(4) determine the level of adoption of the improved cassava production technologies;

(5) determine the influence of farm visits on the adoption of the technologies; and

(6) identify the constraints to farm visits and to the adoption of the technologies.

1.4 Research Questions

(1) What are the socio-economic characteristics of cassava farmers in the study area?

(2) How often do extension agents visit the farmers?

(3) What improved cassava technologies are promoted during farm visits?

(4) What is the level of adoption of the improved cassava technologies?

(5) What is the influence of farm visits on the adoption of the technologies?

(6) What constraints affect farm visits and adoption of the technologies?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses will be tested at the 5% level of significance:

H01: Extension agents’ farm visits have no significant influence on the adoption of improved cassava production technologies.

H02: There is no significant relationship between the frequency of farm visits and the level of adoption of improved cassava production technologies.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will give the Delta State Agricultural Development Programme and the Ika South extension staff evidence on how far farm visits influence adoption and how visits can be better planned. Cassava farmers will benefit from recommendations to improve the reach and quality of visits. Policy makers and development partners can use the findings to design cost-effective extension programmes. The study also adds to the literature on cassava technology adoption in Delta State.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to cassava farmers in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State. It focuses on extension agents’ farm visits as the independent variable and adoption of improved cassava production technologies as the dependent variable. The technologies considered include improved varieties, planting and spacing methods, weed control and pest and disease management.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

The findings are limited to one local government area and may not be generalised to all cassava farmers in Delta State. Farmers may be unable to recall the exact number of visits received and may confuse extension agents with other visitors such as input dealers or project staff. To limit this, the study will define a farm visit clearly, use trained enumerators and pre-test the questionnaire.

1.9 Definition of Terms

(1) Extension agent: A trained officer who gives advice and technical support to farmers.

(2) Farm visit: A visit by an extension agent to a farmer’s field or home to advise, demonstrate or follow up on farming practices.

(3) Improved cassava production technologies: Improved varieties and recommended practices that raise cassava yield and quality.

(4) Adoption: The decision to use an improved technology and to continue using it.

References

Agwu, A. E., Njom, P. C., & Umeh, B. U. (2017). Farmers adoption scenarios for the control of cassava mosaic disease under the Cassava Enterprise Development Project in Enugu State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 21(1).

Ikoyo-Eweto, G. O., Adedokun, I. F., Archibong, J. P., & Okwuokenye, G. F. (2023). Rural farmers’ access to extension services: Implications for increased adoption of improved farm technologies in Delta State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 21(2), 135–152.

Nwaobiala, C. U. (2018). Farmers’ adoption of cassava agronomic practices and intercrop technologies in Abia and Imo States, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 22(2), 82–96.

Nwaobiala, C. U. (2022). Determinants of farmers’ adoption of Sasakawa Global 2000 cassava-maize intercrop technologies in Abia State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 26(4), 11–22.

Onyemekonwu, R. C., Ehiwario, F. A., Komolafe, O. J., & Anarah, S. E. (2026). Evaluation of the factors affecting technology adoption among cassava farmers in Ika North East Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Animal Sciences, 7(1).