An assessment of the factors that affect profitability of Cassava in Zambia's Chongwe District
Date
2012
Authors
Banda, Mabvuto
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zambia
Abstract
A study was carried out in Chongwe District, aimed at determining the factors that affect the
profitability of cassava in Zambia. The objectives of the study were to identify the factors that
affect profitability of cassava production and determine the extent to which these factors
identified influence profitability of cassava in Chongwe District.
The structured questionnaire was the primary instrument used for data collection and also
informal interviews. Descriptive statistics were generated using SPSS. SPSS was used to
organize Outputs. Estimates of the parameters p and o were obtained using muhiple linear
regression models.
Factors that affect profitability were identified and some showed positive correlation and others
showed negative correlation to the profits of cassava production.These factors were identified
from the results of the regression which was done in SPSS. Factors which showed the positive
correlation to the factors that affect profitability are the level of education with the (P=0.00),
farm size with (P=0.00), Variety of cassava cultivated with (P=0.01), access to credit with (0.02)
and extension service with (0.02) these were statistically significant at 95% confidence
level.Factors which showed negatively related to profits are the age of the farmer with (P=0.01),
Household size with (P=0.04). These also were statistically significant at 95%o confidence.
In line with the findings, i would recommend that Government should employ more extension
workers so as to be able to reach out to each and every farmer on a regular basis; also the private
sector in partnership with the government should set up some financial institution to provide
credit.
Description
Students Project Report
Keywords
Cassava , Cassava industry-Zambia , Cassava growing-Zambia