Perception of farmers towards orange fleshed sweet potato production among small-scale farmers in Edo state, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined farmers’ perception towards orange fleshed sweet potato in Edo state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, identify the farmers’ perceived economic benefits and ascertain the farmers’ perception towards orange fleshed sweet potato technologies to their livelihood. Multi-stage involving purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting 120 respondents for the study. Structured questionnaire were used in collecting relevant information. Statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, mean, mean score and factor analysis were used in the analysis of data collected. The results revealed that majority (73.33%) of the respondents were female. 88% were literate with a mean age of 42 years. The respondents had mean household size of 7 persons, mean farm size of 1.5 hectares of land, 11 years of farming experience and belonged to approximately 3 cooperative societies. The farmers had mean contact of 3 times with extension agent within a year, with an annual income of ₦241,291.67. The major perceived economic benefits derived from orange fleshed sweet potato production were increased income (m=4.83), increased health (m=4.67), increased yield (m=4.25) and effective marketing of the produce (m=4.18). The exploratory factor analysis of farmer perception towards orange fleshed sweet potato were based on yield, nutritional benefits, taste, more vitamin A, storability, sweetness and popularity for human consumption. The study suggest that there is the urgent need to sensitize the farmers more about the nutritional values of growing and consuming orange fleshed sweet potato which can greatly influence their perception of the product.