EFFECT OF GENDER DIFFERENCE IN VALUE ADDITION ON THE ECONOMIC LIVELIHOOD OF CASSAVA PROCESSORS IN IDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to assess the effect of gender difference in value addition on the economic livelihood of cassava processors in Ido Local Government. The population of this study was the cassava processors in Ido Local Government. Multi stage sampling technique was used for this study. 150 respondents were selected as sample size for the study. The results of the study were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the study revealed that (39.3%) of the cassava processors had their age between 41-50 years, most of the respondents (69.3%) were married (54.7%) had household size of between 3-4 members, (61.4%) had 1-10 years of experience. (30%) belonged to a cooperative,(74.0%) earned between less than #100,000 as income per production, (30.0%) earned between #150,0001-#200,000 as monthly income. The results also revealed that (62.7%) had 2-3 years of Involvement, in cassava processing, (82.7%) of processors spent less than #100,000 monthly, with a means of #51,667. The results also showed that research and development ranked highest ( mean=3.51) as the major strategy for promoting value addition. The results showed that (64.7%) of male respondents engaged in starch extraction. The female respondents dominated the fufu Production with (86.0%) and cassava flakes production (78.7%). The respondents (42%) identified access to technology as the most needed support to improve value addition. It is therefore recommended that innovation in cassava processing technologies, access to resources and promoting value addition on research and development could aid promotion on the economic livelihood and value addition of the cassava processors. Storage facilities should be made adequate to ensure good storage of cassava product and long time usage.