ACCESS AND UTILIZATION OF IMPROVED COCOA PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES BY RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

The study analyzed access and utilization of improved cocoa production technologies by rural
households in Cross River State, Nigeria. Multi-stage and purposive sampling techniques were
used to collect data for the study. A total of 120 rural households who have utilized improved
cocoa production technologies were used as sample size. Data were collected from primary
source using structured questionnaire and FGD and analyzed using both descriptive and
inferential statistics, such as frequency distribution, percentages, mean and regression model.
There was both high level of access to (grand mean =3.18) and high level of utilization (grand
mean = 3.38) of the improved cocoa production technologies. Control of black pod disease with
fungicides (x ̄ =3.91), Fermentation and drying of cocoa pods (x ̄ = 3.84) and Control of Capsids
with insecticides (x ̄ = 3.63) were amongst those technologies that were highly accessed and
utilized in the study area. The multiple regression test on the relationship between the socioeconomic characteristics of the members of rural households and their utilization of Improved
cocoa production technologies in the study area showed that marital status (2.771***), Farm Size
(5.071***), Educational status (2.799***), Extension contacts (2.670**) amongst others were
positively significant. The study concluded that there is high level of access and utilization of the
improved cocoa production technologies by rural households in the study area and therefore
recommends that the technology on improved seedlings should be made more available and
accessible by technology developers at a reduced cost to enhance its utilization for increased
production.