Impact of Cassava Value Addition on Smallholder Farmers’ Income: The Case of Kogi State, Nigeria

초록

This study investigates the impact of cassava value addition on the income of smallholder farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. Data from 340 respondents were analyzed using propensity score matching, means, standard deviation, and logit regression model. The primary objective was to assess how value addition practices affect the income levels of smallholder cassava farmers. The results showed significant differences between value adders and non-value adders. Value adders had higher mean ages, education levels, farm sizes, access to credit, market linkages, cooperative membership, and usage of processing equipment. In contrast, non-value adders were predo minantly male farmers with more farming experience. Logistic regression analysis revealed that factors such as age, education, farm size, access to credit, and market linkages positively influenced the likelihood of engaging in value addition. Conversely, being male and having more farming experience were negatively associated with value addition. The propensity score matching analysis demonstrated that value addition significantly increased the income of smallholder farmers. The average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) for income was substantial, with nearest neighbor matching showing an increase of ₦113,945.8 and radius matching (0.01) showing an increase of ₦106,141.1. Policymakers and stakeholders should support and promote value addition practices to enhance the income and economic resilience of smallholder cassava farmers.

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