EFFECT OF TECHNOLOGY ON CASSAVA PROCESSING IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the effect of technology on cassava processing in Ondo State, Nigeria. Due to the global increase in the utilisation of cassava, different technologies were introduced into cassava processing so as to increase production output and income. The specific objectives of the study were: to examine the socio economic characteristics of the cassava processors, identify the reasons for the choice of technology used in processing, determine the effect of different technologies on cassava processing output, compare the yield, output and income of semi-mechanised cassava processors with fully mechanised cassava processors and also identify the challenges facing the cassava processors. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire and the analytical tools used include descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage), profitability analysis and gross margin analysis The study revealed among others that: 76% of the respondents were male and 24% were female. Also 6% of the respondents had primary school education, 38% had secondary school education and 48% had tertiary education. Majority (78%) of the respondents operated on full time basis and most of them had been in the business for between 6 and 10 years The profitability analysis result showed the semi mechanised processors made more profit than the fully mechanised. This was attributed to the fact that fully mechanised processing is more capital intensive due to cost of machine and their imported spare parts. The study also revealed some major constraints associated with cassava processing enterprise in order of severity: High cost of raw materials/ inputs (92%); Lack of credit facilities (82%); High cost of machinery and equipment (74%) and insufficient labour (20%). Insufficient labour is the least constraint because of high rate of unemployment in Nigeria as well as the mechanization of most of the processing activities. The