Present Status of the Level of Agricultural Mechanization available for Cassava Processing Operations in Ekiti State of Nigeria

Cassava is seen among the common crops grown in Nigeria. This nation can make a lot of foreign exchange from cassava through the export of its finished products. The National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin in April 2018 conducted a National Mechanization survey exercise in Ekiti State purposely to investigate the present level of agricultural mechanization available for cassava processing operations. The stratified sampling technique was used for conducting the survey exercise in the State. Survey results revealed for the nine (9) cassava processing operations involved showed that cassava peeling and washing operations were 100% dominated by manual processing method in all the cassava processing units visited in the State. A total of 68.96% was recorded for manual processing method for the nine (9) processing operations involved for cassava. It was also noted that a total of 20.31% was recorded for mechanical processing method for the six (6) cassava processing operations involved as grating, dewatering and milling operations contributed to this figure. Cassava became an important crop almost grown in all parts of Nigeria as the Federal Government of Nigeria showed great interest in promoting the export of cassava chips to China and also the inclusion of 10% of cassava flour with 90% of wheat flour in the making of bread. Because of the importance of this crop to the Nigerian economy, the Ekiti State government is advised to assist cassava processors in their State with loan facility they can use to procure cassava processing machines for use in their various organizations in boosting cassava processing operations in Ekiti State of Nigeria