Factors Affecting Efficient Processing of Cassava by Micro-Scale Cassava Processing Enterprises in Southwest Nigeria
1Omonigho T. Okhankhuele; 2Zacheus O. Opafunso; 3O. O. Akinrinola & 4O. J. Ojo
1Department of Business Administration, Federal University of Technology, Akure
2Deparment of Mining Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure
3Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Federal University of Technology, Akure
4Department of Project Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure
Email:omotonia2013@gmail.com;zopafunso@yahoo.com;ooakinrinola@futa.edu.ng; ojojo@futa.edu.ng
Corresponding Author:Omonigho T. Okhankhuele
ABSTRACT
This study assessed the factors affecting efficient processing of cassava by Micro-Scale Cassava Processing Enterprises (MSCPEs) in Southwest Nigeria. Survey design was used for the study, and multi-stage sampling technique (purposive sampling and proportionate stratified sampling) was used to select respondents. Data were gathered from 292 respondents, with the help of structured questionnaire. The respondents comprised the MSCPEs that benefitted from the Presidential Cassava Transformation Initiative, in the study area. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistic, which included: percentage, mean score, standard deviation and mean ranking. The reliability test was carried out with Cronbach Alpha, while the validation of the research instrument was carried out by a senior lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Federal University of Technology, Akure. The study revealed that, unavailability of adequate fund, high cost of diesel/petrol, and high cost of production, were the highest factors affecting the MSCPEs in the study area, while the least factors were high cost of charcoal, and unavailability of adequate cassava roots for processing. The paper recommends that, necessary policies should be enacted to help drive down the MSCPEs’ cost of production, so that; the enterprises can compete in the national and the international markets. Also, infrastructural facilities and other enabling environment need be made available to the MSCPEs, especially constant electricity. This will drive down the high cost of diesel/petrol, being used by these MSCPEs, and further reduce their cost of production. Financial aid will also support their working capital and help them expand their businesses.
Keywords: Efficient; Processing; Micro-Scale; Cassava; Enterprises
