BACKGROUND
INFORMATION:
Nigerian
agriculture is dominated by the subsistence and small scale farmers who produce
the bulk of food requirements in the country. Despite their unique and pivotal
position, the small holder farmers belong to the poorest segment
of the population and therefore, cannot invest much on their farms. The vicious
circle of poverty among these farmers has led to the unimpressive performance
of the agricultural sector (Ajibefun, 2002). According to Ajibefun and Daramola
(2003), resources must be used much more efficiently, with more attention paid
to eliminating waste. This will lead to an increase in productivity and
incomes. 
Cassava can be grown on a wide range of soils and can yield satisfactory, even in acidic soils where most other crops fail (Hahn 1984), the crop has continually played a very vital role, which include; income for farmers, low cost food source for both the rural and urban dwellers as well as household food security (Nweke, 1996). In Nigeria, cassava is generally believed to be cultivated by small scaled farmers with low resources (Ezebuiro, et al 2008). It plays a major role in the effort to alleviate the food crisis in Africa. The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nation (F.A.O. 2004) estimated cassava production in Nigeria in 2002, to be 34 million metric tones.
Cassava can be a major source of income in Africa. The cash income from cassava is substantial compared to other major staples, because of cassava’s low cash input cost (Nweke, 2004). Compared with other major staples, Cassava performs well across a wide spectrum of ecological zones. It therefore benefits farmers across broader swathe of ecological zones. Cassava is likewise, less expensive to produce. It tolerates poor soil, adverse weather and pests and diseases more than other major staples (Nweke, 2004). The crop puts ready money and food in the very vulnerable segments of society.
Every nation attempts to address the prevalent issue of food security. In Nigeria, agriculture provides food for the teeming population and contributes about 33% to the Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P) of the nation (Bureau of Africa Affairs, 2010).
The sector employs about one-third of the total labour force and provide a livelihood for the bulk of the rural populace (FMARD, 2006). Total area devoted to agricultural cultivation is about 30.7 million hectares with farmer’s cultivating less than 2 hectares on average and operating with simple hand tools (Nestle, 1999).
The paucity of appropriate technology makes the small holders farmers to depend mainly on natural systems for sustenance.
Cassava (Manihot Escullenta) tubers are one of the staple food stuff for the people living in the tropical zone. The potential productivity of this crop is extremely high (Nestle, 1999). There is a notion that, more farmers are engaged in cassava cultivation due to its cheap cost of production.
The
importance of cassava in Nigeria
is based on its ability to provide about 15% of all the food energy and 10% of
all the protein content of the daily diet of tropical Nigeria (F.A.O.
1990). Again cassava can be processed and used as an adhesive, for producing
alcoholic drinks and also industrial alcohol, cassava can be processed into
chips and pellets which are mainly used for livestock, poultry and fish feeds.
It is also used as binders and fillers for tablet production, used as
sweeteners that are starch derivatives such as; glucose and fructose, used to
impart sweetness and texture to soft drinks, confectionaries, jaws and canned
fruits (Jerry, 1995). Jerry 1995 added that, the production and trading of this
crop offer-employment to about 60% of the rural dwellers.