Assessment of relevanve of radio programmes on quality of cassava products in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study examined socio-economic characteristics of cassava processors, identified cassava products produced, determined the relevance of radio programme to cassava processors and investigated the problem of accessing appropriate information on cassava processing. Through a multi-stage sampling technique, 144 cassava processors were randomly selected as respondents. Data were collected by structured interview scheduled and analyzed by percentages, frequencies, tables and Pearson Moment Correlation statistics. The results of the study showed that 34.7% of the respondents were between 41-50 years of age, with an average of 50.1 and 29.1 years of experience in cassava processing, indicating that the processors were old. Furthermore, 82% of the processors had one form of formal education while 60.41% of them comprehended radio broadcast in English Language. In addition most of the processors were involved in gari and fufu production with a small proportion of them involved in cassava flour [29.8%], starch [28.5%] and alcohol [18.8%] processing. Furthermore, 49.3% of the respondents reported inadaquacy in the frrenquency of the programme while 61.1% of them owned radio sets. The person Correlation Moment Statistical analysisi established a significant relationship between quality of cassava flour and listening to radio programme by the processors [r = 0.562, P < 0.05] as well as ethanol [r = 0.612, P <0.05] and garri [r = 0.193, P < 0.05]. it was concluded that radio programme has the potential to improve on the quality of cassava products and increase processor’’s income. Processors were enjoined to harness their resources for the purchase of equipments and radio sets.