Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 18 ISSUE 1
Written by Chijioke Nwaneri NDEM, Charles Kelechi OSONDU

This study identified sources of risk and risk management strategies among cassava farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. A total of 518 cassava farmers were randomly selected from four local government areas and data were collected using structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics such as mean, percentages and frequency were used to present data. Likert attitudinal scale was used to evaluate the risk attitude of cassava farmers. Results showed that the mean age and household size of the farmers was 48 years and 7 persons respectively, with 59.9% of the farmers being females. Main sources of risk in cassava production as identified by the cassava farmers were erratic rainfall (77.2%), inadequate credit facilities (70.3%), low price of output (69.1%), cassava pest and disease (59.1%), high cost of inputs (57.5%) and inadequate market for produce (51.7%). The Likert attitudinal scale showed that 69.5% of the farmers were risk averse. Some risk reducing strategies were not employed by the farmers, reason being that they are either not available or difficult to implement. The most popular risk reducing strategy used was enterprise diversification (100.0%).The study recommended that cassava farmers with support from government and private sector should develop comprehensive risk management strategies with maximum benefit when used in combination, also agricultural policy makers should make policies that will encourage cassava farmers to use formal insurance, cooperative marketing and forward contracting more as a means of reducing social and market risks.

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