By Unaeze, HC; Nwasiolo, IC (2023). Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 13(3): 170-177.
Return to Issue
Full text – PDF
Full text – HTM
Full text – EPUB
Table of Contents
Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences
ISSN: 2276-7770
Vol. 13(3), pp. 170-177, 2023
Copyright ©2023, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.
https://gjournals.org/GJAS
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agri-business Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Type: Research
Full Text: PDF, HTML, PHP, EPUB, MP3
This study was conducted to examine the environmental effects of value addition of cassava processing in Etche local government area of Rivers state. A total of 80 cassava farmers where sampled using purposive sampling technique. Simple descriptive statistics and bivariate logistic regression models were used in the assessment. Results shows that mean age and household size were 43 years and 5 persons respectively. Also mean annual income was #346,815. Majority (60%) engaged in trading as an alternative income source. The result for the logit regression model showed that only farming experience in years (0.092101), household sizes in numbers (0.018994) were statistically positive while age in years (-0.005669), annual income in naira (-8.68E-07) and quantity of cassava harvested in kg (-0.000371) were all statistically negative in responding to the environmental effects of value addition of cassava processing in the study area. It was also learnt that the major constraint encountered by the cassava farmers were unavailability of modern machines for processing and lack of technical knowhow. This study therefore recommends that cassava based farmers should be encouraged to form cooperative societies in order to pull their resources together. Also government should play an active role by establishing modern processing units that are environmentally friendly in all the rural areas of the states.
Published: 09/09/2023
Dr Henry C. Unaeze
E-mail: henry.unaeze@ uniport.edu.ng
Agricultural production in Nigeria is still basically categorized by production from the farms and direct sale of farm produce in its raw form. Cassava, a root tuber, has served, and will continue to serve as a major source of food to majority of the people living within the West African sub-region (Hann, 1997). Some of the value added products from cassava tubers that affect the environment are garri, fufu, tapioca, starch, cassava flour to cassava bread and chips. This value addition on cassava generates solid and liquid residues that are hazardous to the environment. The two important biological wastes from cassava that cause damage to the environment are cassava peels and liquid effluent squeezed out from the fermented parenchyma mash.(Obueh, Odesiri-Eruteyan 2016). The toxicity of cassava is caused by the presence of the cyanogenic glucoside; linamann together with much smaller amount of the closely related lotaustralin. These are the two major cyanogenic glucosides. They are small but of significant amount in the cassava tuber (Hann, 1997).This effluent when discharged on soil causes physiochemical and microbiological changes in the soil which calls for serious concern. It is clear that most of these cassava mills are sited near residential areas. Also cassava effluents and its peels that are usually discharged on land or water channels as wastes results to health and environmental hazards. They have serious environmental impact causing acidification due to the hydrolysis of cassava glucoside, linamarin and lotaustralin (methyl linamarin) producing hydrogen cyanide, which is also toxic to household animals, fisheries and other organisms Obueh, Odesiri-Eruteyan (2016). This waste water from cassava processing that are normally discharged beyond the factory wall into roadside ditches or fields, flow freely and sometimes settle in shallow depressions. Eventually, it percolates into the subsoil or flow into streams, resulting to serious environmental pollution, foul odor, contamination of surface soil and underground water. Also effluent released directly into streams and rivers, causes rapid growth of bacteria, resulting in oxygen depletion and death of fish and other aquatic life. (Oladele Kolawole, 2014). Also cassava contains disease-causing pathogens like bacteria and fungi. (Eze, Onyilide, 2015). It is important to note that villages where large scale garri production is carried out, cyanide can be smelled in the air and exposure to 100 – 200 ppm IICN in air for 30 – 60 minutes can cause death. (Obueh and Odesiri-Eruteyan, 2016). At this point we ask the following research questions: (1) what is the socio-economics characteristics of the cassava farmers in the study area? (2) What are the socio-economic characteristics that affect their responses on the effect of value addition in the study area? (3) What is the different value addition of cassava carried out by the farmers in the study area? (4) What are the constraints encountered in the study area? This study will give answers to these questions.
This study was conducted in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. Etche is made up of several communities such as Aku/Obuol, Eberi, Amaji, Opiro, Chococho, Igbo, Egwi, Afala, Mba, Igbodo, Ofe, Ohimogo, Obiohia Umuogba, Umuajuroke Okehi, Obibi, Odufor, Nihi, Okomoko, Ulakwo, Umuakonu, Umuuanyag, Okoroag, Obite, Umuoe, Ibo, Umkem, Egbeke. Etche has over 250 oil wells and various flow stations. It is also said to have the largest natural gas deposit in Niger delta region. Residents of Etche are primarily engaged in agriculture, earning it the nickname “the food basket “of the state. They specialize in growing crops as: Cassava, plantain, banana, yam, gum, palm oil, pineapple. Etche L.G.A. is geographically located in the northeastern part of Rivers State, Nigeria. It lies within latitude 4045’N – 5017’N and longitude 6055’E – 7017’E. Sample sizes of 80 respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique.
Stage 1: Four communities of Chokocho, Egwi, Nini and Umuoye were randomly selected. Stage 2: Twenty cassava processors were also randomly selected from each of the four communities, making a total of 80 cassava processors for the study.
Logit regression Model
Logit Regression expressed as;
???????? = p1/1-p1 = B0 + B1X1 + B2X2 + B3X3 + B4X4 +B5X5 + B6X6 + B7X7 + B8X8B9X9…. BiXi + Ui
The respondents were classified into two categories; those who respond that value addition of fresh cassava tubers pollutes the environment and those who respond otherwise. The response variable was in binomial regression taking values of 1 to represent those who respond that value addition pollutes the environment and to those who responds otherwise.
If the disturbance term (Ui) is taken into account, the Logit Model becomes:
???????? =∑ BiXi
Where;
Pi = Probability that a cassava farmer will respond positively or otherwise. Given as Xi; (1 = responds positively; 0 = responded negatively).
Î’i = Coefficient of Parameter
Ui = Error term or Disturbance term
X1 = Age (Years)
X2 = House size (numbers)
X3 = Farming experience (in years)
X4 = Estimated annual income (naira)
X5= Quantity produced (kg)
X6= Farm size (hectares)
β = Constant
Table 1 below shows that majority (80%) of the respondents are female. The result suggests that more females are involved in processing cassava than the males in the study area and cassava processing requires more skills and attention which can only be produced efficiently by female folks. This confirms the findings of Onyemauwa, (2012) who reported that women play a central role in cassava production, harvesting, processing and marketing, contributing about 58 percent of the total agricultural labour in the Southwest, 67 percent in the Southeast and 58 percent in the central zones. Most (60%) of the cassava farmers fell into the age range between 25-54 years showing activeness and innovativeness. This is also shown by their mean age of 43 years. Majority (80%) are married while most (56.3%) had primary school education showing that respondents can adopt an innovation to reduce environmental pollution by employing best practices and techniques in cassava production and processing. This is in consonance with the findings of Fapojuno (2010), who stated that education is an important variable that influences individual and household’s rate of adoption of new and improved technology as well as their choices of food commodities. It also implies that the more years a producer spend in attaining formal education, the more the increase in their output and this confirms the findings of Onoja and Emodi (2012) who reported that education has the power of giving traders an edge over their counter parts as their level of awareness of the use of efficient technology and market information will enhance their output thereby increasing their productive capacities. Majority (60%) of the respondents has household size of 3-5 persons with an average household size of 5 persons and 26 years as average farming experience. Average annual income of the respondents was 346,815 Naira. This implies that the cassava farmers sampled realized a substantial amount of income annually with majority (60%) engaging in trading as an alternative source of income.
Table 1: Showing the frequency distribution of respondents’ socioeconomic characteristics in the study area.
Female
Total
68
80
85.0
100
15 – 24
25 – 54
55 – 64
Above 64
9
48
20
3
11.3
60.0
25.0
3.8
Married
Divorced
Widowed
Widower
64
2
80.0
2.5
1-6
6-12
>12
45
5
56.3
6.3
3-5
6-8
9-11
Above 11
1
1.3
21-30
31-40
Above 41
30
23
6
37.5
28.8
7.5
N400,000-N600,000
N700,000-N1000000
Above N1000000
26
32.5
Fishing
Artisan
Trading
12
11
15.0
13.8
Source: Field Survey, 2023
Table 2: shows the bivariate logit regression on how farmer’s socio-economic characteristic affects their responses on environmental effects of value addition. The probability of respondents responding to environmental effects of value addition of cassava processing in the study area in terms of their farming experience in years (0.092101) and households’ size in numbers (0.018994) was positive. Their positive response could be deduced from the facts that as respondents farming experience and household size increase, the more they will be more knowledgeable in cassava processing and their respective environmental effects. Likewise, the probability of respondents retorting to environmental effects of cassava processing in terms of their age in years (-0.005669), farm size in hectares (-2.035579), annual income in naira (-8.68E-07), quantity of cassava harvested in kg (-0.000371) and number of years spent in formal schooling in years (-0.570650) are all statistically significant but negative. Their negative response on age could be that as their age increases they, will not be responsive and energetic to indulge in cassava processing due to its drudgery nature. Also as respondents’ farm size, annual income and quantity harvested increases, the more their commercialization index increases and purchasing power. With this development they will be less responsive in cassava process.
Table 2. Bivariate logit regression depicting how farmer’s socio-economic characteristic affects their responses on the environmental effects of value addition of cassava processing in the study area.
Source: Field survey, 2023
Table 3, recorded multiple responses and demonstrated that most (27.9%) of the respondents asserted that garri was the most common products from cassava. This supported the findings of Muhammed-Lawal (2013) who established that garri was the most profitable products from cassava. Recently, attentions are given to research centers on how to produce cassava flour in order to substitutes wheat flour to reduce cost. However, multiple responses were recorded as respondents produced more than one product from cassava.
Table 3: Showing frequency distribution of respondents according to different value addition of cassava processing carried out in the study area.
Multiple responses recorded.
In table 4, multiple responses were recorded. It revealed that majority (30.9%) of the respondents observed environmental effects as the major negative consequences of cassava processing, with health related issues (29.1%). This implies that farmers in the study area who indulged in cassava processing experienced environmental and health related problems. These findings are in consonance with the findings of Reinhardt Howler (2018) who stated that cassava processing is generally considered to contribute significantly to depletion of water resources and the environment as a result of unpleasant odor and the waste generated. Also, Fasoyiro (2012) stated that the smoke from wood during garri processing results to lung, kidney and eye sight health challenges, especially nursing mothers who carry their young babes on their back.
Table 4. Showing frequency distribution of respondents according to effects of carrying out value addition processes in the study area.
Table 5 Shows different processing methods used in adding value to cassava in the study area. Multiple responses were recorded .The study revealed that majority (61.0%) of respondents employed traditional methods of cassava processing. It was only (36.6%) and (1.5%) that employed semi and modern mechanized method respectively. This implies that majority of the respondents in the study area use traditional method of processing. This involves peeling cassava roots, soaking roots in streams, grating cassava, and pressing grated cassava, and frying in oven. This findings was supported by Etejere, (1985) and Oluchi Chibuzor (2021) who stated that the bulk (about 90%) of the fresh cassava roots are processed into garri and channeled into the traditional sector while about 10% of total FCR goes into the industrial sector. However FAO (2014) asserted that manual or traditional methods of cassava processing is time consuming and tedious. It is believed as technology advances, total manual cassava processing will gradually be replaced by some small scale machines. Since it can efficiently save time and get high quality cassava final products.
Table 5. Showing frequency Distribution of respondents according to different processing methods employed in the study area.
Table 6 revealed that majority (59.8%) of the respondents complained that lack of machines for processing was their major problem. This findings supports, Ayodele et al., (2011) who stated that cassava value chain addition was characterized by long chains of pre-modern intermediate processes and infrastructural deficiencies which have generated successions of low value addition. Also another major problem faced by the farmers was lack of technical knowhow (23%). This finding further validates Nguyen et al (2012) assertion that the availability and accessibility of credit facilities among rural poor cassava processors in Africa has been hampered by numerous challenges ranging from high level of illiteracy, unfavorable government or institutional policies, low level of upgrading and relevant information in both production and processing.
Table 6. Showing frequency distribution of respondents according to constraints encountered in the study area.
Cassava processing at the rural level pollutes the environment and becomes a burden to natural resources. The study revealed that respondents were literate enough to adopt an innovation with mean household size of 5 persons and average farming experience of 26 years. Among all the socio economic indicators considered in influencing their responses, on value addition, only farming experience and household size were statically significant and positive. Majority of the respondents employed traditional methods of processing. It is true that considerable constraints remain; it is obvious that there is significant scope for the realization of enhanced productivity and diversification of cassava through local processing. Necessary steps have to be taken to promote integration of cassava into the manufacturing industries as a reliable raw material or its promotion as an export crop in order to achieve economic growth for a significant number of primary producers, processors and traders. Cassava based farmers should be encouraged to form cooperative societies in order to pull their resources together and obtain loan to acquire machines for effective processing. Also effective strategies that will enhance the livelihood opportunities of the rural poor must be sustained for the ecosystem services. Cassava processing must be designed to increase economic, social, and ecological resilience to climate change. Cassava processors must adopt the use of clean energy to prevent the effects of global warming.
Muhammed-Lawal, A., Omotesho, O.A., Oyedemi, F.A. (2023). An Assessment of the Economics of Cassava Processing in Kwara State, Nigeria. International Conference of the African Association of Agricultural Economists, September 22-25, 2013, Hammamet, Tunisia (2013).
Ayodele, D. U., Andrew, E., Nnennaya, O. Chijioke, T. Ganiatt and S. Lateel (2011). A Report on Cassava Value Chain: Analysis in Niger Delta. Wuse II, Abuja, Nigeria.
Etejere, E. O., & Bhat, R. B. (1985). Traditional preparation and uses of cassava in Nigeria. Economic Botany, 39(2), 157-164.
Eze, V. C., & Onyilide, D. M. (2015). Microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of soil receiving cassava effluent in Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 3(1), 20-24.
Fapojuno (2010).Education sector support programme in Nigeria. https//www.esspin.org.report downloads.
Fasoyiro, S.B. 2012. Locally processed street-vended foods in Nigeria: how safe? International Journal of Food Safety and Engineering, 2:381-391.
Food and Agriculture Organization- FAO (2014). FAOSTAT. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Statistics Division.
Hahn, S. K. (1997) Traditional Processing and Utilisation of Cassava in Africa, 4th ed. Ibadan: IITA Research Guide 41.
Kolawole, O. P. (2014, November). Cassava processing and the environmental effect. In World Sustainability Forum (pp. 1-7).
Nguyen, T. H. L., Ngoan, L. D., Bosch, G., Verstegen, M. W. A., & Hendriks, W. H. (2012). Ileal and total tract apparent crude protein and amino acid digestibility of ensiled and dried cassava leaves and sweet potato vines in growing pigs. Animal feed science and technology, 172(3-4), 171-179.
Obueh, H. O. and Odesiri-Eruteyan, E. (2016). A study on the effects of cassava processing wastes the soil environment of a local cassava mill. Journal of Pollution Effects & Control, ‘(4), 1-4.
Olaomo, O. K. (2021). Analysis of Gender Participation in the Marketing and Processing Phases of the Cassava Value Chain in Nigeria (Doctoral dissertation, Auburn University).
Onoja, A. O., & Emodi, A. I. (2012). Economic analysis of fuel wood production and consumption: evidence from a Nigerian State. British Journal of Management & Economics, 2(1), 13-23.
Onyemauwa, C.S. 2012. Analysis of Women Participation in Cassava Production and Processing in Imo State, Southeast Nigeria. Journal of Economics and Sustainable, 3(5), 81-90.
Reinhardt Howler (2018): Adoption of new technologies and their impact on cassava production in Thailand (CIAT), Cali Colombia. Conference paper.
Unaeze, HC; Nwasiolo, IC (2023). Environmental Effect of Value Addition on Cassava Processing in Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 13(3): 170-177.
Download [446.18 KB]
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Post Comment
