Determinants of Adoption of Improved Cassava Varieties Among Smallholder Farmers in Rivers State, South South Nigeria

Cassava remains a critical staple and income crop for smallholder farming households in the South South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Despite the release of improved high-yielding disease-resistant varieties by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, adoption rates among smallholders in Rivers State remain below expectations. This study investigated the determinants of adoption of improved cassava varieties in selected farming communities in Rivers State. A cross-sectional survey of 110 cassava farmers selected through systematic random sampling was conducted across three local government areas. Data were gathered on varietal awareness, adoption status, farm characteristics, and socioeconomic attributes. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify significant determinants of adoption. Results showed that farmer education level, access to extension contact, proximity to input markets, and previous exposure to variety trials were positively associated with adoption. Farm size and off-farm income also significantly influenced adoption decisions. Lack of planting material availability and limited awareness of improved variety attributes were the principal barriers cited. The study recommends scaling up the establishment of community-based planting material multiplication centres and intensifying farmer-led demonstration plots. Extension services should prioritise participatory variety evaluations to align varietal releases with local agronomic preferences. These findings provide practical guidance for the Rivers State Agricultural Development Programme in accelerating technology diffusion. Keywords: cassava, technology adoption, improved varieties, Rivers State, smallholder farmers.