Utilization of Cocoyam in Rural Households in Southwestern Nigeria

摘要: Cocoyam is a traditional crop and cultural foodstuff in Nigeria. It has not received much research attention spite of its great adaptability to varying farming systems nutritive commercial food values. The yam substitute that occupies an inferior status the study area. mainly cultivated by women most cases planted as intercrop previously established farm. is, therefore, regarded lazy man’s consequently poor food. aim this was revive acceptability cocoyam order solve crisis, which Nigeria been experiencing since 1978. A structured interview schedule used obtain information from randomly selected 322 respondents 24 producing communities four states region: Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun Lagos states. question items included personal socio-economic characteristics utilization. data were described using frequency counts, means percentages while multiple regression analysis inferential statistics determine relationship independent variables dependent variable. Results revealed 64% males 84% married. Their ages ranged 20-70 years with mean 44±16 years. About 68% them literate 58% their spouses literate. They mostly (39%) farmers artisans (12%) no secondary occupation, only 28% produced but almost all (97%) consumed cocoyam. utilized different ways three categories unprocessed solid, processed solid powder area utilization level 20%. significant at p< 0.05 R=0.3469, meaning variable:socio-economic had jointly accounted for 35% level. F value 5.334. contributed positively producers cocoyam, sources being brought home journey cosmopolitan, flexibility on choice decision makers menu negatively. Commercial processing flour baking, canned foods, baby formulae other products are recommended increase Farmers advised production Key words: Utilization, Cocoyam, household, southwestern