Search Results (4)

Cassava fresh root yield and dry matter content constitute major determinants of demand by end-users. Increased demand for the seeds of improved varieties will facilitate the development of a sustainable seed system. However, for wide acceptability, there is a need to continuously evaluate candidate varieties for stability across different agroecological zones. Participatory Demand Creation Trials (DCTs) were established to evaluate cassava varieties with farmers and processors utilizing the best agronomic practices. The multi-year DCTs were conducted in 20 environments (7 locations) during the 2016–2017, 2017–2018, 2018–2019, and 2019/2020 cropping seasons with two replications. The plot sizes were 320 m² with a spacing of 1 m × 0.8 m. The traits evaluated were Plant Vigor (PV), root number, fresh yield, dry yield, Dry Matter Content (DMC), and bundle estimation. The traits were subjected to a GGE biplot in R software to identify high-yielding and stable genotypes. Results obtained from the 20 environments showed that genotype (G), environment (E), and GXE interaction effects were significant (p < 0.01) for all the traits but PV. The heritability ranged from 56% (PV) to 96% (DMC). The average fresh yield t/ha ranged from 25.5 (IBA30572) to 35.4 (IBA980505). The DMC ranged from CR36/5 (36.1%) to IBA010040 (30.7%). The dry yield ranged from 8.8% (IBA30572) to 11.4 (IBA980505). Estimated bundles ranged from 13.5 (CR36-5) to 15.7 (IBA950289). Three varieties, IBA961632, TMEB419, and CR36/5, were identified as the most promising high dry matter content varieties for cassava processors and farmers in Nigeria, and genotype IBA961632 was the most stable. The study revealed greater genotypic effects than from the environment and high genetic advances. Full article

The paper examined the willingness of smallholder cassava processors to pay for value-added solid wastes management solutions in Nigeria. We employed a multistage sampling procedure to obtain primary data from 403 cassava processors from the forest and Guinea savannah zones of Nigeria. Contingent valuation and logistic regression were used to determine the willingness of the processors to pay for improved waste management options and the factors influencing their decision on the type of waste management system adopted and willingness to pay for a value-added solid-waste management system option. Women constituted the largest population of smallholder cassava processors, and the processors generated a lot of solid waste (605–878 kg/processor/season). Waste was usually dumped (59.6%), given to others (58.1%), or sold in wet (27.8%) or dry (35.5%) forms. The factors influencing the processors’ decision on the type of waste management system to adopt included sex of processors, membership of an association, quantity of cassava processed and ownership structure. Whereas the processors were willing to pay for new training on improved waste management technologies, they were not willing to pay more than US$3. However, US$3 may be paid for training in mushroom production. It is expected that public expenditure on training to empower processors to use solid-waste conversion technologies for generating value-added products will lead to such social benefits as lower exposure to environmental toxins from the air, rivers and underground water, among others, and additional income for the smallholder processors. The output of the study can serve as the basis for developing usable and affordable solid-waste management systems for community cassava processing units in African countries involved in cassava production. Full article

Agricultural products such as cassava produce huge amounts of waste when processed into consumable goods. The waste generated is generally considered to contribute largely to environmental pollution. This study therefore investigates the waste management practice that is adopted by cassava processors in Ogun State, Nigeria. Five local government areas (LGAs) dominant in processing cassava were selected for the study on the basis of spatial location distribution, landmass, and population. The survey involved the use of structured questionnaires administered to cassava processors of the selected LGAs. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software application and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results of the analysis show that the majority (70%) of the cassava processors are females. Cassava peel constitutes 10% of the waste produced, of which 91% is heaped at refuse dumps in most communities. Results also reveal that 86.3% of cassava residues are used for animal feeds. Other findings show that the peels, when dried, are used as biofuel for cooking and there is a significant potential for biogas production. From the data captured from respondents during the study, most processors are willing to pay for an improved waste management system. The study therefore recommends the proper waste management of cassava waste to minimize environmental pollution. Full article

Cassava is a very important food crop that is capable of providing food security. However, a lot of problems prevent the development and use of modern equipment for its production. Most of the cassava produced still comes from peasant farmers who depend on manual tools for their field operations and these farmers have made Nigeria the world’s largest producer of the crop. An increase in production of cassava to sustain the world food security needs improved machinery to allow its continuous cultivation and processing. Reasons for the low success recorded in the mechanization of cassava harvesting and processing were traced, and the attempts that have been made in the recent past by various engineers in Nigeria researching towards achieving mechanized harvesting and processing of cassava are well explained. The machinery required for cassava production in Africa, the development of new machines, and the need for more research and development in harvesting and processing machineries, which can reduce poverty worldwide and make food available and accessible for all, are also discussed. Research efforts made and the challenges facing the engineers, farmers, scientists and food processors towards achieving mechanical harvesting and processing of cassava are presented. Breeding a cassava variety with a regular shape for easy mechanization is one solution that could help the engineers worldwide. Full article