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Assessment of Cassava Farmers’ Knowledge of Value Addition Opportunities

Abstract

Cassava is an important agricultural crop that contributes significantly to food production, household income, employment, and rural livelihoods. Despite its wide range of uses, many cassava farmers may sell their produce in its raw form, thereby limiting the economic benefits that can be obtained from processing and value addition. Knowledge of cassava value addition opportunities can help farmers identify profitable processing activities, improve product quality, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase the value of cassava-based products. This study will assess cassava farmers’ knowledge of value addition opportunities. It will examine the level of knowledge possessed by cassava farmers regarding different value addition activities and determine their awareness of the economic opportunities associated with cassava processing. The study will also identify the major sources of information through which farmers obtain knowledge about cassava value addition. The study will focus on farmers’ knowledge of cassava processing and value addition opportunities such as garri production, cassava flour, starch, tapioca, chips, animal feed, industrial products, packaged cassava products, and other processed cassava-based products. It will also consider farmers’ knowledge of processing methods, product quality, packaging, storage, marketing opportunities, equipment requirements, production costs, and potential markets for value-added cassava products. A quantitative research approach will be adopted for the study. Data will be collected from cassava farmers using structured questionnaires designed to assess their knowledge of cassava value addition opportunities. The data will be analysed using descriptive statistics, knowledge-level assessment, correlation analysis, and regression analysis to determine patterns in farmers’ knowledge and the factors associated with their awareness of value addition opportunities. The study is expected to reveal varying levels of knowledge of cassava value addition opportunities among farmers. Farmers with greater access to agricultural extension services, training, market information, farmer organisations, and processing demonstrations may demonstrate better knowledge of available value addition activities. The study may also identify inadequate processing equipment, limited technical information, financial constraints, poor market access, and insufficient training as challenges affecting farmers’ knowledge and participation in cassava value addition. The study will be useful to cassava farmers, agricultural extension agents, farmer organisations, agricultural development agencies, processors, policymakers, non-governmental organisations, and researchers. It may provide useful information for developing extension programmes and training activities that improve farmers’ awareness of cassava processing and value addition. The findings may also support efforts to reduce post-harvest losses, improve product quality, expand market opportunities, and increase income from cassava production. The study concludes that adequate knowledge of value addition opportunities is important for enabling cassava farmers to obtain greater economic benefits from cassava production. It is therefore recommended that agricultural extension agencies strengthen farmer education, processing demonstrations, technical training, and market information on cassava value addition. Farmers should also be encouraged to participate in value addition activities and collaborate with relevant organisations to improve access to processing technologies, finance, and markets.

Keywords: Cassava farmers, farmers’ knowledge, value addition, cassava processing, agricultural extension, cassava products, post-harvest management, garri production, cassava flour, cassava starch, tapioca, cassava chips, product quality, market opportunities, rural income.