Cost and Return Analysis of Cassava Flour (Lafun) Production Among the Women of Osun State, Nigeria

Recent hike in food prices in Nigeria has led to increased food insecurity among rural and urban dwellers. Rural households who are majorly farmers are faced with low income generation from farm produce. This study examined the economic analysis of cassava flour production among women in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun state. Primary data were collected through a well structured questionnaire supplemented with oral interview and a multi-stage sampling technique was adopted in selecting 146 respondents. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics, gross margin technique to estimate the profitability of cassava flour production. Ordinary least square regression model was used to analyze determinants of total revenue generated from cassava flour production enterprise. Results obtained showed that almost all cassava processors have low educational status with an average of 10 years of experience in cassava flour processing. Most of the respondents (67.8%) engaged in cassava flour production as their main occupation and all (100%) of them carried out fermentation of cassava tubers between 2-3 days, and sundry it within 3-4 days. The gross margin technique showed that in every one naira (₦) invested on cassava flour production, 35 kobo is gained by each cassava processor. Hence, cassava flour production in the study area is profitable. Age (5%), educational level (5%), involvement in associations (10%) and the cost of cassava tuber (1%) are the key variables influencing the amount of revenue earned from cassava flour production. In conclusion, cassava flour production has the potentials of reducing food insecurity problem in Nigeria due to its profitability and as well contribution to people livelihood sustainability.