Analysis of Value Chain Business by Cassava Wholesalers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study analyzed the Cassava Wholesale Business in Akwa Ibom State. Specifically, the study analyzed the cost and returns to cassava wholesale business in the state and estimated the factors that were responsible for the respondents’ decision to add value to Cassava in the study area. A sample size of fifty wholesalers was selected from across the six Agricultural zones in the State.   Results obtained reveal that the sales of garri was the most profitable wholesale business while major costs borne by the respondents were transportation, loading and off-loading with transportation constituting a major part of the cost structure. Factors that were found to determine value added by wholesalers were Age, Education, Experience, Cooperative membership and access to credit facility. It is therefore recommended that these wholesalers should form cooperatives and raise capital which can be invested in their business to expand its scale of operation. Keywords: Wholesalers, Cassava, Value Chain, Value-Added, Profit, Costs DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-14-01 Publication date:July 31st 202

Evaluation of Yield Productivity and Economic Returns of Some Yam (Dioscorea esculenta Poir) Genotypes Grown in a Kaolinitc Ultisol

A two-year (2008 and 2009) study was carried out at the University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, Use-Offot to evaluate yield productivity of eight yam genotypes (TDr 200/3/7A, M2/75/3, M2/25/1, M2/50/5x, 99/AMO/053, 99/AMO/094, 95/18894, and local -Eteme).and  their economic returns to management. Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates was used. Results of the study indicated significant differences in all the yield and yield components of the different yam genotypes considered in both years., Cost of production in 2009 was 2% above the cost of production in 2008 due to increase in cost of land preparation. The cost -benefit ratio of all the genotypes were above 10.00 except in local variety, Eteme with values of 4.9 and 6.3 in  2008 and 2009, respectively. The average cost- benefit ratio of 14.25 recorded in TDr 95/18894 suggesting strongly that the genotype is more adaptable to Uyo, agro- ecology than others. Keywords; yield productivity, economic returns, yam, genotype