EFFECT OF COMMERCIALIZATION ON PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY AMONG CASSAVA PRODUCING HOUSEHOLDS IN IKWUANO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated factors affecting commercialization o f cassava producing household in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. It specifically examined the socio-economic characteristics o f cassava household; determine commercialization index and analyzed factors that influence commercialization among cassava producing households. The study employed purposive sampling technique in the selection o f 120 respondents from one local government area (LGA) based on characteristics o f interest, nearness and other related features. The selection was done from 6 communities at the rate o f 20 respondents per community. Analytically, descriptive statistics, household commercialization index (HCI), and multiple regression analysis were used. The results showed that the mean age o f the cassava producing household was about 40 years with a mean farming experience o f 14 years. They are mostly married with an average o f 5 persons per households. The result further revealed that only a few households (less than 2%) have very high commercialization orientation, which exposes the level o f farming in the area. With respect to determinants o f factors that influence commercialization, value o f output, farm size, sex, nearness to market, membership o f cooperative and farming experience were significant and found to exhibit varying degree. The study therefore recommends that supportpolicies that sustain and improve the productivity among farming household especially land tenure policy issues, greater incentives policies for farmers in the rural areas; linkages between farm households and the markets; increase access and exchange o f information on markets.