Abstract

The study assessed the perception of cassava processors towards modern post-harvest technologies in Ekiti State. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 120 respondents. Primary data were collected on socio economic characteristics, farmers? perception and constraints faced by cassava farmers towards adoption of modern post-harvest technologies. Data were collected with the aid of questionnaires and analysed using frequency count, percentage and mean. The result showed that the mean age of the respondents was 47 years, 70.8% were married and 84.2% had formal education. Majority (98.3%) of respondents were aware of mechanical grater. Majority (83.3%) of the respondents had a favourable perception towards adoption of modern-post harvest technologies, while 16.7% had an unfavourable perception about the technologies. Lack of scientific knowledge about modern post-harvest technologies (=1.21) was ranked first, while high cost of modern post-harvest handling technologies (=1.03) was the least constraint to the adoption of modern post-harvest technologies. The study concluded that lack of scientific knowledge about modern post-harvest technologies was the major reason why cassava processors have not adopted modern post-harvest technologies and recommends that Extension agents should actively disseminate information on improved postharvest technologies to farmers using mass media (e.g., radio/television) and farmer?s groups.

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