ABSTRACT

Utilization of improved cocoyam production technologies among women in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria was studied in 2014. The specific objectives of the study were to; describe the socio-economic characteristics of the women, identifying their source(s) of information, assess their level of utilization and identify the problems they face in using the technologies. A multi-stage random sampling techniques was used to select sixty (60) women.

Data for the study were collected through a well-structured questionnaire and were analysed with descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, percentages, mean scores and inferential statistics (Logit Regression Analysis). The socio-economic characteristics of the women revealed that a good proportion (51.67%) of the women were married which indicate the mean age of (X) = 5.4years, mean farming experienced of (X )=20.5years, 26.67% of the women had farming as their occupation with which indicate more stable household, the mean age of the women is 45.4years which indicate that the women are still active and can adopt new technologies, mean farming experience is 30.5years, 26.67% of the women had farming as their occupation with mean annual income of N2090. The mean household [size is 7.88 which indicate in large the household, the more availability of labour.

TABLE OF CONTENTS     

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1    Background of the Study
1.2    Problem Statement
1.3    Research Questions
1.4    Objectives of the Study
1.5    Hypotheses
1.6    Justification

CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1    Cocoyam Production in Nigeria Root and Tuber Crops
2.2    Cultural Practices in Cocoyam Production
2.3    The Concept of Adoption and Utilization of Improved Technologies
2.3.1    Nutritional Importance
2.3.2    Cocoyam Pulp Product  (Ekpan)
2.3.3    Dehydrated Chips (Achicha)
2.3.4    Production of Poi   
2.3.5    Production of Soup Thickener
2.3.6    Cocoyam Crisps
2.3.7    Potentials of Cocoyam Starch
2.4    Women Involvement in Cocoyam Production

CHAPTER THREE
3.0    RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1    Study Area    
3.2    Population of the Study   
3.3    Sampling Procedure    
3.4    Method of Data Collection
3.5    Data Analysis        
3.5.1    Model Specifications   

CHAPTER FOUR
4.0    RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1    Description of the Socio-economic Characteristics of Women in Ikwuano  L.G.A of Abia State, Nigeria
4.1.1      Age                               
4.1.2    Marital Status                           
4.1.3    Educational Attainment                           
4.4.4    Farming Experience                            
4.1.5    Household Size                               
4.1.6    Farm Size                               
4.1.7    Occupational Status                               
4.1.8    Extension  Contact                                
Income                                    
Sources of Information on Cocoyam Production Technologies by Women Farmers
Level of Utilization of Cocoyam Production Technologies by Women Farmers in the Study Area
Determinants of Level of Utilization of Cocoyam Production
Technologies by Women Farmers in the Study Area
Constraints Militating Against the Utilization of Cocoyam Production Technologies in the Study Area in the Study Area

CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
Summary
Recommendations
Conclusion
REFERENCES