African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6900

Article in Press

The adoption of improved cassava technologies in Central Liberia

Abibatu Turay Kromah, A. J. Farinde

  •  Received: 16 July 2019
  •  Accepted: 23 October 2019
The study focused on adoption of improved cassava technologies in Central Liberia by the Central Agricultural Research institute (CARI). Farmer’s level of awareness on the adoption of cassava technologies and investigated factors influencing adoption behaviour of cassava farmers towards the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) cassava varieties. A multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents. At the first stage, five districts were purposively selected based on their involvement in the IITA/CARI cassava trials. At the second stage, 25% of each of the communities in the selected districts was chosen, making a total of 17 communities. At the last stage, 13 farmers were randomly selected from each of the communities to make a total of 221 respondents. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire, interview schedule, and Focus Group Discussion guide. Data were collected on socio-economic characteristics of respondents, types of improved cassava technologies, level of awareness and factors influencing the adoption of the identified technologies. Data collected were summarised with the aid of descriptive statistics, while factor analysis was used to isolate crucial factors. Pearson’s correlation analysis and Chi-Square analyses were used to test relationship among variables. Results showed that the mean age of the farmers was 41 years with a standard deviation of 13.3. The findings showed that there was more female cassava farmers within the districts covered in Central Liberia with Christianity as the dominant Religion.

Keywords: CARI cassava, technology, cassava farmers, innovation, adoption process