ANALYSIS OF YAM VALUE CHAIN IN PAIKORO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study analyzed yam value chain in Paikoro Local Government Areas of Niger State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select actors for the study. First stage involved purposive selection of Paikoro LGA of Zone B due to their prevalence in yam production and marketing. The second stage involved random selection of five villages from the LGA while the third stage involved random selection of 100 producers, 25 processors, 25 wholesalers and 25 retailers from the selected villages. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed the mean age of various actors, producers 43, wholesalers 37, retailers 35 and processors 40 years respectively. From which 99.0%, 88.0%, and 64.0% were male respectively, while 64.0% of processors were female. Majority of the actors had formal education with a mean farming experience of 9.5, 13, 9, and 11 years respectively. The OLS analysis revealed the coefficient age of producers (0.005), household size (0.013), educational level (0.009), farming experience (0.401) and credit availability (6.44e) were statistically significant at 0.10 and 0.01 probability level respectively while wholesalers had coefficient of educational level (2795.015), labour input supplied (3124.298) and credit (13.150) were statistically significant at 0.10 and 0.01 probability level. The retailers education level coefficient (25129.64), experience (3245.863), labour input (6219.373) and cost of transportation (5.798) were significant at 0.10, 0.05, 0.01 probability level. Furthermore, processing experience (10.073), educational level (2300.661) and labour input (2795.015) were significant at 0.10 and 0.01 probability level. The above affect value added by their various actors respectively in the study area. Constraints to yam production include pest and disease, inadequate finance and transportation. The study therefore recommends that actors in the yam value chain should form cooperative societies to access finance and government should provide efficient road network system to facilitate transportation.