PREDICTIVE CONFIGURATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF FARMERS ABOUT IMPROVED METHODS OF CASSAVA CULTIVATION

Abstract

Ninety cassava farmers were interviewed to determine the configuration of characteristics which would differentiate the low from the high-knowledge level farmers. Results indicate that farmers with these characteristics in the corresponding variables, i.e. program participation (non-program), age (young), education (low), credit (not availed) and area under cassava (small), most probably possess low knowledge level. Moreover, the aforementioned configuration of characteristics should be used as a criterion in the selection of farmers who will undergo training on improved methods of cassava cultivation. This will greatly help in bridging the knowledge gap and in orienting the cassava training programs toward the need-based target group of farmers.