CASSAVA PROCESSING TECHNIQUE AMONG WOMEN IN AGRICULTURAL ZONES IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The cassava processing techniques used by women in the Sagbama agricultural zone of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, were the focus of this research. Only 172 of the original 180 surveys sent out to the study population were returned. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were employed for the analysis. The study shows that people in the 30–39-year age range were mostly involved in cassava processing. About 71.5% of the women were married, while 44.2% were able to complete secondary school. Cassava processing employed an average of 8 people per household. About 51.2% had 6–10 years of processing experience. The major technological
tools used were a mechanical grater and screw press. The most common pieces of equipment used included a mechanical grater and a screw press. At P<0.05, age, educational status, and processing experience have positive regression coefficients of 0.234, 0.375, and 0.002, while marital status and household size have negative regression coefficients of 0.003 and 0.439, respectively. This indicates that the five socioeconomic indicators are significantly affected by the techniques used in cassava processing. It is recommended that women adopt proper ways to optimize the processing of cassava.