Potentials of Plantain Value Addition in Improving Rural Households’ Income in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: This study examined the potential of value addition to Plantain in improving rural households’ income in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study investigated the socio-economic variables of plantain processors, identified the value-added products, factors influencing plantain value addition, the profitability and the overall contributions of value addition of Plantain to rural households’ income. Methodology: A multi-stage sampling technique was used coupled with a well-structured questionnaire to elicit information from 120 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Relative Importance Index, and partial farm budget analysis. Results: The study revealed that plantain processors were mainly middle-aged (mean age-42 years), primarily female (83%), educated, and married (78 per cent), with a mean household size of 6 people. The most common forms of value added to Plantain are chips, flour, roasted Plantain (boli), fried Plantain (dodo), and flakes. In order of their relative importance index, the motivating factors for value addition to Plantain are unemployment, peer influence, regular income, drive for self-employment, social relevance, self-accomplishments and satisfaction. The study revealed the average total variable cost of ₦148,200.00; for plantain chips, ₦99,050.00 for fried Plantain, ₦82,000.00 for plantain flour and ₦55,600.00 for roasted Plantain. The total revenue of ₦205,000.00 for plantain chips, ₦151,600.00 for fried Plantain, ₦92,000.00 for plantain flour and ₦60,000.00 for roasted Plantain. The Net profit of ₦96,100.00 for plantain chips, ₦91,850.00 for fried Plantain, ₦37,000.00 for plantain flour and ₦14,900.00 for roasted Plantain. The Rate of returns for plantain chips is 0.65, followed by 0.93 for fried Plantain, 0.45 for plantain flour and 0.27 for roasted Plantain. These indicate that for every N1.00 invested in Plantain value-added products, 65 kobo, 93 kobo, 45 kobo and 27 kobo are gained for plantain chips, fried Plantain, plantain flour and roasted Plantain, respectively. The cost-benefit ratio is 1.38, 1.53, 1.12, and 1.08 for plantain chips, fried Plantain, plantain flour and roasted Plantain, respectively. Conclusion: Plantain production is a profitable enterprise with small capital investment and its value addition contributes significantly to household income in Ekiti State.