THE PROBLEM AND PROSPECT OF CASSAVA FARMING AND

PROCESSING IN ISHIAGU IVO L.G.A EBONYI STATE

ON
COMMUNICATION IN ENGLISH (GNS 302)

WRITTEN BY GROUP 9
EKE IFEANYICHUKWU DUNAMIS FCAI/CEM/HND/2023/430
UKOHA RUDOLPH CHINEDU FCAI/CEM/HND/2023/431
OGBU SYVESTER EKUMA FCAI/CEM/HND/2023/432
IGWE COLLINS NDUKWA FCAI/CEM/HND/2023/433
CHRISTOPHER RUTH CHINAZA FCAI/CEM/HND/2023/434
OKORO MONDAY JEREMIAH FCAI/CEM/HND/2023/435
EZE CYNTHIA CHIGEKWU FCAI/CEM/HND/2023/436
EMMANUEL BLESSING CHIOMA FCAI/CEM/HND/2023/437
IDAM VICTORIA CHIDERA FCAI/CEM/HND/2023/438
IDAGU FAITH FCAI/CEM/HND/2023/439

SUBMITTED TO
MR. KOLADE SADIQ

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE

AWARD OF HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA (HND) IN COOPERATIVE
ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT, SCHOOL OF APPLIED
AGRICULTURE AND MANAGEMENT FEDERAL COLLEGE OF
AGRICULTURE ISHIAGU, EBONYI STATE.

OCTOBER, 2023
 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is one of the world’s most important food crops. In
Nigeria, as in most developing countries, it is one of the most important
carbohydrate sources. The plant grows to a height of 1 to 3 m and several roots
may be found on each plant. Although cassava leaves are sometimes consumed,
the major harvested organ is the tuber, which is actually a swollen root. The plant
is propagated mostly from stem cuttings. According to Tonukari (2004), cassava
ranks very high among crops that convert the greatest amount of solar energy into
soluble carbohydrates per unit of area. Among the starchy staples, cassava gives a
carbohydrate production which is about 40% higher than rice and 25% more than
maize, with the result that cassava is the cheapest source of calories for both
human nutrition and animal feeding. A typical composition of the cassava root is
moisture (70%), starch (24%), fiber (2%), protein (1%) and other substances
including minerals (3%). A recent study on cassava shows that it accounts for
about 70% of the total calories intake of more than half of the population (Nneoyi,
et. al., 2008).

Since past years, cassava production and processing have been facing a lot of
problems. Unfortunately, no supply chain structures exist for the
commercialization of supplying cassava products as primary source of raw
materials for agro-industries. At farm level, the production costs for cassava in
Nigeria are high, relative to other countries, production is not oriented towards
commercialization, but instead farmers produced and processed cassava as a
subsistence crop (Ugwu, 2008). A major limitation of cassava production is the
rapid post harvest deterioration of its roots which usually prevents their storage in

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the fresh state for more than a few days (Okezie and Kosikowski in Tonukari,
2004).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The current trend in cassava production in Nigeria has put a lot of pressure on
production of cassava. The Federal Government of Nigeria constituted a
presidential initiative on cassava production and export aimed at raising the
production level of cassava to 150 million metric tonnes by the end of 2010. The
programme is also expected to assist the country realize an income of US$5.0
billion per annum from the export of 37.6 million tonnes of dry cassava products
such as starch, cassava chips, adhensive and other derivatives. Apart from local
demand, there is a high demand for cassava based products in foreign countries.
However, the current supply of the cassava may not be able to satisfy foreign
market demand (IFAD and FAO, 2005).

Some of the achievements already being recorded by the presidential initiative on

cassava production and export were: organization of training workshop at the
national centre for agricultural mechanization; development of equipment for the
processing of various cassava products targeted for export market in collaboration
with International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA); production and
distribution of 576,000 bundles of improved cassava cutting by the State
Agriculture Development Projects (ADPs) to farmers; production/procurement of
planting materials, such as breeds, foundation and certified stocks by the Root and
Tuber Expansion Programme Management Unit (RTEPMU), NRCRI, Umudike
and JITA; and collaboration with local communities to establish pilot cassava
processing centres in each local government area of the cassava producing states
for subsequent replication and adoption (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2008).

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In spite these recorded efforts made by different groups and individuals at federal,
state and local government levels to increase and improve cassava production and
processing in Nigeria. Has proposed increase yields translated into greater incomes
of the rural farmers? It therefore becomes important to ascertain the factors
constraining cassava production and processing in Ishiagu Ivo L.G.A Ebonyi state.

1.3 Research Questions

i. What are the constraints towards cassava production and processing?

ii. What are the possible strategies for improving cassava production and
processing in Ishiagu Ivo L.G.A Ebonyi state?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The broad objective of the study will be to ascertain the problems and solution on
production and processing of cassava in Ishiagu Ivo L.G.A Ebonyi state.

The specific objectives of the study will include the following:

i. To ascertain constraints towards cassava production and processing.

ii. To determine the possible strategies for improving cassava production and
processing in Ishiagu Ivo L.G.A Ebonyi state.

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know
more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their
research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for
other study.

1.6 Scope of the Study

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This study is on problems and solution on production and processing of cassava.
The study will be conducted in Ishiagu Ivo L.G.A Ebonyi state.

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1.7 Definition of Terms

1. Cassava: Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a tropical root crop widely grown

in many parts of the world, including Ishiagu, Ebonyi State. It serves as a
major source of carbohydrates in the diet and can be processed into various
food products.

2. Cassava Farming: Cassava farming refers to the cultivation of cassava

plants for the purpose of harvesting its roots, which are used for various food
and industrial purposes.

3. Cassava Processing: Cassava processing involves converting harvested

cassava roots into different products, such as garri, cassava flour, starch, and
chips, through various methods like peeling, grating, fermentation, and
drying.

4. Ishiagu: Ishiagu is a town or community located in Ivo Local Government

Area (L.G.A), Ebonyi State, Nigeria, and is the focus of this research.

5. Staple Crop: A staple crop is a primary food source that forms the basis of a
region's diet. In Ishiagu, cassava is often considered a staple crop.

6. Pests and Diseases: These are organisms and conditions that can harm
cassava crops, leading to reduced yields. Pests can include insects, while
diseases can be caused by pathogens like fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

7. Climate Change: Climate change refers to long-term alterations in

temperature, precipitation patterns, and weather conditions. In your context,
it may impact cassava farming due to changing rainfall and temperature
patterns.

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 CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 CONCEPT OF FOOD PRODUCTION

2.2 Relationship between Food Production and National Development

2.3 Challenges of Cassava Farming in Nigeria

2.4 Challenges of Cassava Processing in Nigeria

2.5 Challenges Militating Against Cassava Processing in Food Production for

Enhanced National Development in Nigeria

2.6 Empirical Review

2.7 Theoretical Framework

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 CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

Survey research design will be adopted through the use of questionnaire, oral
interview and personal observation.

3.2 Method of Data Collection

A combination of two field methods that will be adopted for this study. These will
be the interview and the questionnaire methods.

In the interview method, the researchers will use a combination of face-to-face,

oral, and telephone interviews. The structured interviews will be administered
using a questionnaire with close-ended questions. Questionnaires will be used to
obtain the opinions of respondents on various aspects of cassava processing, food
production, and national development. The copies of questionnaires will be
directed to persons affiliated with relevant institutions within Ishiagu. The scale of
the survey questions will be categorical, and reliability will be established by
pretesting. Data will also be collected through the unstructured interview from
persons involved in cassava processing. The results from the data will be presented
to show the relationship between the variables

3.3 Study Area

The study area will be villages in Ishiagu Ivo L.G.A Ebonyi state,

3.4 Population of the Study

The population of the study comprises of selected farmers in Ishiagu, Ivo L.G.A
Ebonyi state which is 405 farmers, this will determine the sample size.

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3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Technique

The sample size for this research work will be determined using TARO YAMINI
formula which is

n=N/[1+Ne^2]]

where;

n=sample size ?

N=population size 405

1=constant

e=level of significance [0.05]2

n=405/[1+405][0.05]2

n=405/[1+405[0.0025]

n=405/1+1.0125]

n=405/2.0125

n=201

3.5 Instrument for Data Collection

Data will be collected using the 201 questionnaires that the researcher will
administer face to face to the respondent. This questionnaire will be validated by
the supervisor.
3.6 Method of Data Analysis

In analyzing and presenting the collected data in the course of the research work,
the researcher will use tables and frequency percentages. The respondent’s opinion
will be shown on table where the percentage of each type of response will be

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computed by dividing the number of respondents that gave a particular response by
the number of respondents.

Where F= total number of frequencies + 100

Total number of respondents 1

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