Browsing by Author "Kobba, F"

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    ACCESS TO AND UTILIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION AMONG RURAL YOUTH IN EASTERN SIERRA LEONE
    (European Organization for Nuclear Research, 2025-12-20) Kobba, F
    s: Access to timely, relevant and usable agricultural information is essential for improving farmers’ decision-making, adoption of improved technologies and agricultural livelihoods. This study assessed access to and utilization of agricultural information among respondents in Kenema District, Eastern Sierra Leone. A cross-sectional survey design was employed to collect data from 242 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were used to summarize respondents’ characteristics, sources, access and utilization of agricultural information, while the Pearson chi-square test and Phi coefficient were used to examine the association between sex and access to agricultural information. The findings revealed that 96.7% of respondents had access to agricultural information and 94.2% reported using agricultural information. However, access and utilization were predominantly occasional, with 45.0% accessing information sometimes and 41.3% using it sometimes. Farmer groups/cooperatives (40.1%) and radio (36.8%) were the leading sources of agricultural information. Major constraints included low literacy level (95.4%), complexity of messages (95.1%), high cost of information (91.3%), lack of awareness (91.3%), language barriers (90.9%), and time constraints (90.5%). Inferential analysis showed no statistically significant association between sex and access to agricultural information, χ²(1) = 0.001, p = 0.973, with a negligible effect size (φ = 0.002). The study concludes that although agricultural information is widely accessible and utilized, important barriers continue to limit its regular and effective use. Strengthening farmer groups, improving extension–farmer linkages, simplifying agricultural messages, using local languages, expanding radio and appropriate digital advisory servicesare recommended to improve the effective utilization of agricultural information in the study area. **Keywords:** Agricultural information, access, utilization, agricultural extension, farmer groups, youth,
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    CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN CASSAVA PROCESSING AND VALUE ADDITION AMONG WOMEN FARMERS IN SOUTHERN SIERRA LEONE
    (European Organization for Nuclear Research, 2025-12-07) Kobba, F
    s: Cassava processing plays a critical role in enhancing food security, income generation, and rural livelihoods, particularly among women in sub-Saharan Africa. This study examined the constraints and opportunities in cassava processing and value addition among women farmers in Bo and Moyamba Districts, Southern Sierra Leone. A cross-sectional survey and mixed methoddesigns were used, and data were collected from 198 respondents using structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed using SPSS, descriptive statistics, Likert scale and binary logistic regression models.The results revealed that most respondents (46.5%) were within the age range of 30–39 years, indicating active participation of economically productive women in cassava processing. Most respondents were married (60.8%) and had low to moderate levels of education, with 36.6% having primary education and 31.4% having no formal education. Household sizes were generally large (67.2% having 5–10 members), and most respondents operated at low-income levels, despite having considerable processing experience.Processing activities were dominated by traditional methods (63.13%), with limited adoption of improved technologies (32.83%). The majority of respondents relied on manual tools (59.6%), while only a small proportion used advanced equipment such as dryers and presses. Cassava processing was largely concentrated on basic products such as gari (92.42%) and fufu (56.06%), with minimal diversification into higher value-added products.Logistic regression results showed that education level, cooperative membership, income, processing scale, and access to credit significantly influenced the adoption of improved processing technologies, while age, household size, and experience were not significant. Major constraints identified included lack of access to credit, high cost of processing equipment, inadequate technical skills, poor infrastructure, and limited market access. Despite these challenges, significant opportunities exist, including high demand for cassava products, availability of raw materials, and labour supply.The study concludes that although women play a critical role in cassava value addition, their productivity is constrained by financial, technical, and infrastructural limitations. It recommends improved access to credit, strengthened extension services, promotion of cooperative societies, and investment in processing technologies to enhance efficiency, product quality, and income generation Keywords: Cassava processing, women farmers, value addition, constraints, opportunities, Sierra Leone