EFFECT OF VALUE ADDITION ON FARM INCOME OF SWEET POTATO BASED FARMERS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

• Published in: Journal of agricultural extension 2019-10, Vol.23 (4)
• Main Authors: Oluwasegun Ayodeji Alalade, Olufemi Ajayi Oladunni, Oloruntoba Luke Adebisi, Abiodun Babarinde Paul, Oluwafunmilola Olawunmi Olayode
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1119-944X; 2408-6851

Abstract The study examined the effect of value addition on farm income of sweet potato-based farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling technique was employed to select 145 respondents. Structured questionnaire coupled with interview schedule were used to collect primary data. Multiple regression was used to analyze the effect of different value addition activities on income received from sweet potatoes. Also, marginal effects were obtained to analyze the effect of each independent variable separately on income. Findings revealed that farmers who engages in value adding activities had higher income than those that sell at farm gate. In addition, farmer marketing groups had a stronger bargaining power in the market compared to farmers selling individually. The study concluded that the major factors influencing farm income of sweet potato based farmers are; access to trainings, family size, farm size and the stages of value addition. It was recommended that the ministry of agriculture through the ADPs should work more closely with the research and training institutes in the country to sensitize farmers on the need to form more farmer groups or join the different developmental programmes of government. Through these groups, useful information about trainings on new vine varieties, value addition, prices and limitless market opportunities are disseminated. Keywords: Value addition, Income, Sweet potato, Marginal effect, Training