Perspectives of Small-Scale Musa Processing Firms in Nigeria

• Published in: Acta horticulturae no. 8791; pp. 257 - 263
• Main Authors: Akinyemi, S.O.S, Staver, C, Aiyelaagbe, I.O.O, Kintomo, A.A, Babalola, S.O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Society for Horticultural Science 2010
• Subjects: bananas; beers; breakfast cereals; cooperatives; credit; cultivars; flour; interviews; livelihood; malt; markets; Musa; pests; questionnaires; research and development; scientists; weaning; weaning foods; wines; Nigeria
• ISSN: 0567-7572

Scientists have produced many banana and plantain cultivars that are high yielding and resistant to various pests and diseases. This is likely to continue for many more decades. While looking forward to this, there is a need to know the impact of past efforts on the livelihoods of end users. To this end, a study was designed to analyze the challenges of small-scale rural processing enterprises and the support system, which together will lead to more value from banana and plantain (Musa spp.), and greater rural well being. This study was carried out in two phases: the first phase involved visiting and documenting Musa products in formal and informal markets. The second phase was done by interviewing different classes of processors and their support service providers using a structured questionnaire, interviews and personal visits to their business environments. The study revealed that processing of Musa into different forms and shapes of chips is the most common small Musa agro-processing businesses in Nigeria. Other products include flour, soap, ‘Dodo Ikire’, gin, wine, weaning foods, beer and malt, breakfast cereals and puree. It was further discovered that most small-scale processors do not make use of credit facilities available to them. They keep neither records nor think of expansion. There is a need for them to come together as cooperatives and take advantage of some facilities and services. Different agencies set up to assist them, need more public awareness. It is obvious that Musa processing businesses in Nigeria have employed many people regardless of sex and age with chances of absorbing more. They have contributed in many ways to social development. However, with an increasing population, Musa producers, processors and scientists still need to stay on the drawing board and be proactive with regards to research for development activities on Musa.