EFFECT OF INSECURITY ON CASSAVA PRODUCTION IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

In recent times, there has been an increase in insecurity around agrarian communities, which has impacted agricultural activities.This study examined the effect of insecurity on cassava production in Edo State.A sample size of 120 cassava farmers were selected using simple random sampling techniques, and an interview schedule was used to elicit data from them.Data were analyzed using frequency count, percentage, means, ttest, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC).The finding revealed that the mean age of cassava farmers was 49 years, and 60 percent of them were married with an average household size of 8 persons.About 50% had primary education with a mean income of 147,675.00per annum.The insecurity activities above 70 percent included armed robbery, kidnapping, land grabbing, and cult activities, while the main causes were unemployment (95%), lack of contentment (85%), quest for fast money (82%), and laziness (84%), among others.More than half (62%) perceived the insecurities affecting cassava production.There is a significant difference (t=4.089,P < 0.05) in the cassava production before and during the incidence of insecurities.There is also a significant relationship (r=0.135,P<0.05) between the perceived effect and cassava production.The study concluded that the incidence of insecurities had a significant effect on cassava production; peoples' redundancy and poor orientation are common causes of insecurities.It is therefore recommended that farmers should engage in local vigilance; reorientation of the rural youth while government should empowered youth to be gainfully employed.