Abstract

Fatai Abiola Sowunmi*, Celestinah Temitope Orungbemi and Adejoke Modinat Adedeji

The risk factors associated with cassava production contribute significantly to the loss in the crop yield. The study profiled the sources of risk and determined the loss of cassava yield due to these factors in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area. Twostage sampling approach was adopted to choose samples while questionnaire was used to collect data from 124 cassava farmers. Data were analysed using difference of mean, likert scale and Tobit regression. Most of the cassava farmers (25.0%) were of middle age (37-47years) while 36.3% of the respondents had no formal education. Average farm size was 5.0 hectares. The study revealed that 28.2% of the respondents cultivated cassava only while 71.8% planted cassava and other crops. The study ranked institutional risk first, while economic and production risks were ranked second and third, respectively. Majority of the farmers identified loss of crops due to attack on cassava farm by grazing cattle (3.52). Other losses in cassava production were attributed to insufficient rainfall, high costs of transportation and labour. There was considerable variation (p<0.05) between the average expected output and actual output of cassava. Farm size (p<0.01), contact with extension agent (p<0.04), co-operative society (p<0.05) influenced output loss attributed to risk in cassava production. Government commitment to find a lasting solution to the attack on cassava farms by grazing cattle would reduce production risk in cassava substantially. Efforts aimed at raising farmers’ productivity (use of improved cultivars, access to credit, integrated pest and disease control and increased extension contacts among others) rather than increase in cultivated land will reduce loss associated with risk in cassava production.