CASSAVA PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY USAGE AND LIVELIHOOD OF WOMEN PROCESSORS IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

ADENIYI,, VICTORIA ABOSEDE (2022) CASSAVA PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY USAGE AND LIVELIHOOD OF WOMEN PROCESSORS IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA. ["eprint_fieldopt_thesis_type_phd" not defined] thesis, Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State.

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Abstract

Inadequate technologies decreased rural processors’ outcomes and limit their production capacity. Adoption of improved technologies could enhance extraction process, reduce the time and labour required at production, resulting in increase in total productivity, improved income, quality of life and food security of processors. The current study described the socio-economic characteristics of cassava processors, identified the cassava processing technologies used, identified the occupational hazards associated with the technologies, examined the impact of cassava processing technologies on the livelihood of women processors, their contribution to household welfare and constraints associated with the processing technologies. A three-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents in Kogi and Kwara States. The first stage involved purposive selection of two Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) zones out of four in the two states while the second stage involved proportionate selection of 35% of members of improved technology users (ITU), giving 205 respondents. Followed by random selection of 205 conventional technology users (CTU) in the same zone, giving a total of 410 respondents. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, livelihood indicators and inferential statistics. Majority of ITU (89.2%) and CTU (97.1%) had one level of education or the other. A little above average (ITU53.7%:CTU50.2%) had medium household sizes and average annual income of ITU :N528,654 and CTU:N294,610. The traditional processing technologies include the use of peeler, grater, press, local fryer and basket sieve while the improved include mechanized peeler, grater, grinder, sieve, hydraulic press, tray fryers and dryer. Majority of CTU are exposed to more occupational hazards compared to ITU. Majority of the respondents contributed 50% and more to children’s school needs (ITU85.9%:CTU79.5%), family food consumption (1TU85.8%:CTU80.5%), hospital bills (ITU85.9%:CTU80.5%), personal needs (ITU82.9%:CTU60.0%) and children clothing (ITU80.5%:CTU85.4%). The cumulative percentage scores of ITU to CTU were food availability and consumption (75.25:52.50), housing condition (77.93: 53.75), water facility (64.17:60.26), health situation (70.93: 69.45), sanitation (68.54:54.20), participation in social activities (73.61:61.35), freedom in cash expenditure (64.09:62.69). Improved technology users had a very high livelihood status (70.65) while CTU had a medium livelihood status (59.17) which indicated that improved technology users exhibited better livelihood compared to conventional technology users. The major constraints faced by cassava processors include lack/scarcity of spare parts (ITU1.91:CTU1.60), high cost of processing equipment (ITU1.87:CTU1.67), high maintenance and operational cost (ITU1.88:CTU1.65), and lack of credit and funds (ITU1.77:CTU1.84). Results of multivariate regression analyses shows that there was a significant relationship between some socio-economic characteristics and the livelihood of processors. T-test result reveal a significant difference (p=.000) between the livelihood status of improved and conventional technology users. Results of regression analyses shows a significant relationship between technology use and livelihood of cassava processors. This suggests that the use of improved technologies in cassava processing is a strong predictor which influences the livelihood of processors. The use of improved technologies enhanced women contribution to household welfare, improved housing condition, food availability and consumption. The study recommends that cassava processing interventions be continued in these states and even extended to non-beneficiary areas. Government should invest heavily in subsidized cassava processing machinery. ADPs should organize sensitization programme on occupational hazards. Keywords: Livelihood, Cassava processing, women processors, improved technologies, conventional technologies

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