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

Abstract

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 31^st 2022