AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development

EFFECTS OF VALUE-ADDITION ON INCOME AND POVERTY STATUS OF CASSAVA FARMERS IN UYO AGRICULTURAL ZONE, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Author:  Aniekan J. Akpaeti, Okon J. Ekwere and Nelson U. Okorie

Abstract
Going by the spate of population in Nigeria agricultural economy which is still at the developing stage with more mouths to feed and are living below the poverty line, it becomes imperative to look out for cheap and readily available energy – food source (cassava- Manihot esculata) within the agrarian communities that would be a source of livelihood and create wealth to the rural dwellers whose wealth creation has been impeded by the inability of the cassava farmers to add value to their produce among others. The paper examined the value-addition effects on income and poverty status of cassava farmers in Uyo Agricultural zone, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Respondents were selected from cassava farmers in the zone and interviewed using a well-structured questionnaire which was administered to one hundred and eight (108) respondents. Results showed that the gross margin of cassava processors in the study area was N3,816280 with a profit of N684,980 and the benefit-cost ratio was estimated to be 1. The findings also revealed that the respondents had a poverty severity index of 0.25 and 0.24 before and after the practice of value addition respectively. Similarly, income increases by 140% after processing the cassava, thus increasing income and reducing poverty. It is recommended that cassava processor that practice value-addition should be assisted to achieve food security and poverty reduction through enhanced processing to the value chain products. Besides, the processors should organize themselves into cooperatives or associations that will help them mobilize funds to take advantage of improved welfare that will result from increasing their scale of operation.