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EFFECT OF COCOYAM VALUE ADDITION ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF RURAL WOMEN PROCESSORS/MARKETERS IN ISIALA NGWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract
The study analysed the effect cocoyam value addition on the livelihood of cocoyam rural women
marketers/processors in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. One hundred and
twenty cocoyam processors/marketers were randomly selected with the use of a multi-stage samling procedure
for the study. Results showed that majority (65%) of the respondents were young, 58% of them were married,
while 98% were literate. Rural marketers/processors in the study area mainly processed cocoyam into flour, fufu
and crisps. The processors sourced their cocoyam cormels from the farm gate, wholesalers, retailers and owned
farms. The study showed that labour and cocoyam cormels were the most expensive cost items in cocoyam
processing, while the depreciation cost was the least. However, the result of the rate of returns on investment
shows that cocoyam processing is an income earning venture. The result further indicates that processing
cocoyam into flour is more rewarding since its returns on investment (0.22k) is higher for flour compared to fufu
(0.19k) and cocoyam crisps (0.21k) for every one naira invested. Labour cost, cost of processing equipment, cost
of cocoyam cormels, credit access, income and household size were the significant variables influencing
cocoyam value addition. However, age, household size, marketing/processing experience, quantity of cormels
bought, selling price, and cocoyam value addition were the significant factors affecting the profit level and hence
the income of the cocoyam processors. The result further showed that cocoyam value addition had a positive
effect on the income/livelihood of the cocoyam farmers. The study recommends that processors/marketers have
access to storage facilities to ensure that by-products processed in excess quantities are stored in order to make
them available throughout the year at affordable prices. Efforts should also be made to ensure that the
marketers/processors be provided with the necessary resources and facilities/equipment to ensure enhanced
processing/marketing of cocoyam by-products.
