R.A. Abu, G.O. Alufohai, C.I. Ada-Okungbowa, C.N. Nwawe, A.O. Oloyede and B.E. Obazee1 |
ABSTRACT
Maize is processed into different forms by small-scale enterprises in Edo State, Nigeria. However, prospective investors need to be fully guided by economic indices for their investment decisions. In view of this, the study examined the economics of maize processing in Edo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 180 respondents for the study. Data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire using the interview schedule method. Analysis of data was done using the budgetary and the Benefit-Cost Ratio techniques. Processing maize into pap, popcorn, and boiled/roasted maize in the study area, was found to be profitable irrespective of the enterprise with an average profit of N79.78 per kg per processor and a gross margin of N81.82 per kg per processor. The Benefit-Cost Ratio was N10.45, N2.72 and N1.92 for popcorn, boiled/roasted corn and pap processors respectively, which indicates that all three enterprises were viable. It was recommended that serious campaigns should be carried out in Edo State by the government to enlighten the people especially the youths/applicants that there are investment opportunities in maize processing. |
