Assessment of Cassava Utilization Patterns, Postharvest Handling Practices, and Productivity Influencing Factors in South and Southwest Ethiopia

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is mainly produced to supplement food security by providing for smallholder farmers year round. However, its production constrained various factors. Thus, the aim of this research was assess cassava utilization patterns, postharvest handling practices, and factors that influence productivity. Data were gathered from primary secondary sources, a multistage sampling procedure used select 200 HHs. A multiple regression model descriptive statistics analyze data. The revealed education level, family size, land holding cropping system, crop rotation, earthing up rate, maturity, variety type, training, plant population variables significantly positively correlated with This implies if any these increases, productivity will increase while other remain constant. Topography pest showed significant negative correlation, indicating an undulating topography or being attacked pests could reduce 60.00%. results proportion 51.87% utilized home consumption, 43.68% market, 4.26% animal feed. consumption pattern indicated 46.50% boiled roots, 15.00% flour cooked, 38.50% roots cooked. As practices showed, 10.00% immediately processed powder, 18.00% sliced (chips), 61.00% left them root in soil, 11.00% did nothing. indicates farmers’ patterns processing methods are very traditional. Therefore, study suggested different should be further supported through generation forms, technology. Proper attention also given address identified productivity-influencing as well practices. These sustain farming system help farmers.