ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS' PREFERRED CASSAVA VARIETIES IN BAYELSA WEST AGRICULTURAL ZONE, BAYELSA STATE.

The study examined farmers' Preferred cassava varieties in Bayelsa West Agricultural Zone, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined cassava varieties cultivated in the study area, identified the farmers' preferred cassava varieties and ascertained the rationale for farmers' preference for cassava varieties in the study area. The study adopted a descriptive survey. The sample size of 200 registered cassava farmers was drawn through a multistage sampling procedure, which involved purposive and proportionate random sampling techniques at various stages. Data were collected using structured questionnaire that was validated using test re-test method. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentage and sum for objectives 1, 2 and 3. Farmers' preferred cassava varieties and the rationale for their preference were ranked. The findings showed that: 58.00% of the respondents cultivated Sunshine and TME 419 varieties. 56.00% of the farmers cultivated both Obasanjo 2 (TMS 13f1343) and Poundable (TME 693). Findings on preferred cassava varieties, Sunshine is ranked as the most preferred cassava variety among the respondents (20.0%), followed by Hope (NR130124) variety which was ranked second (18.5%). The findings further confirms that farmers' rationale for cassava varieties preference was based on yield as the most ranked trait followed by disease resistance and adaptation to local conditions. The study concluded that most of the cassava varieties introduced in the study area, such as: Sunshine varieties, TME 419, Hope (NR130124), Obasanjo 2 (TMS 13f1343), Poundable (TME 693), and Game Changer (TME 13f1160) are being cultivated by farmers in the area. We therefore recommend that Agricultural research centers saddled with the responsibility of developing cassava varieties should work closely with agricultural extension service organizations and cassava farmers to develop and promote the preferred cassava varieties such as Sunshine, Hope (NR130124), among others, for onward adoption in the study area.