PROSPECT AND CHALLENGES OF VALUE ADDITION IN POULTRY MEAT PROCESSING IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLITAN COUNCIL

ABSTRACT Title: Prospects and Challenges of Value Addition in Poultry Meat Processing in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Borno State, Nigeria. This study investigated the potential for value addition in the poultry meat sector within the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Borno State. Despite the significant contribution of poultry to Nigeria’s Agricultural Gross Domestic Product (AGDP), the sector faces challenges in ensuring high-quality, processed products reach the final consumer. The primary objectives of this research were to identify value addition techniques currently in practice, assess the profitability and socio-economic prospects of the industry, and highlight the infrastructure and economic constraints faced by processors. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design. Primary data were collected using well-structured questionnaires administered to a purposively and randomly selected sample of 70 respondents, including 40 consumers, 27 meat processors, and 3 restauranteurs across four wards (Maisandari, Lamisula, Gronge, and Bolori). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a conceptualized value addition model. Demographic findings revealed a male-dominated sector (71.5%), with a significant portion of participants (44.3%) falling within the youth bracket of 20–30 years. Results indicated a high level of awareness regarding value addition (81.5%), with roasted chicken emerging as the most preferred value-added product (64.3%). Economic analysis showed that value addition is highly profitable, with processors earning higher margins compared to producers and live-bird sellers. Benefits identified by respondents included improved food safety (40.0%), increased profitability (24.5%), and job creation (18.5%). However, the study identified critical bottlenecks, most notably the lack of consistent power supply, which hinders cold-chain storage, as well as high inflation and limited access to credit facilities. The study concludes that while value addition in MMC is a viable pathway for economic development and youth employment, its full potential remains untapped due to infrastructural deficits. It is recommended that the government provide low-interest loans and specialized training for processors, while encouraging the formation of cooperatives to facilitate the acquisition of modern processing equipment.