Assessment of Cassava Processing Techniques on the Livelihood of Agro-Forestry Farmers in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

: Post harvest losses resulting from inadequate processing have been one of the problems affecting farmers’ income. This study was carried out to examine the contribution of cassava processing techniques on the livelihood of agroforestry farmers in Edo state. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 125 respondents which served as sample size for the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The results showed that 90.4% were aware of the cassava processing techniques such as the peeling, slicing, grating, sieving and frying machines. Furthermore, majority of the farmers agreed that the processing techniques were effectively in increasing productivity and 45.6% of the farmers had an increase in their annual income of up to N200,000. All the farmers attested that their income increased thus resulting in an increase in their livelihood. Chi-square results (p > 0.05) revealed that there was no significant relationship between the personal characteristics of the farmers and the constraints faced in the utilization of
the technique. Results of correlation showed that there was a significant relationship between the processing techniques and the constraints faced in the utilization of techniques. Thus, it was recommended thatthe technologies be made simple for effective utilization in order to increase productivity

Keywords: Agroforestry, Processing, Livelihood, Techniques, Utilization