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Socio-economic analysis of processing <i>Pachyrhizus erosus</i> (L.) Urb. tubers into gari in Benin


Patrice Ygué Adegbola
Sègla Wilfrid Padonou
Prosper Houessionon
Nestor Ahoyo Adjovi
Paul Houssou
Soniade Ahouignan
Denis Olou
Jean Louis Ahounou
Kerstin Hell
Graham Thiele
Pascal Fandohan
Guy Apollinaire Mensah

Abstract

Pachyrhizus erosus is a legume plant that produces tubers rich in nutrients (protein, iron, zinc, etc.) that are used in various kinds of food processing. The objective of this study was to analyse producers’ and processors’ perception regarding processing P. erosus tubers into gari in on-farm conditions and its financial profitability. Kendall’s concordance test was used to classify perceptions, and cost analysis was used to analyse the profitability of the product. The results showed that the mixed gari with 50% P. erosus was highly appreciated because of its greater fermentation ability than cassava gari. The price at which processors broke even was FCFA 340 (~ $ 0.57) per kilogram and the sensitivity analysis revealed that when the yield of P. erosus-based gari increased by 30%, processors made a profit of 25% of the investment cost. So, processing of P. erosus is beneficial for the processors and consumers appreciate it more than cassava gari. The Benin Government needs to promote this crop in order to feed its population.

© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Roots and tubers, technical performance, malnutrition, Benin, population, food quality


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eISSN: 1997-342X
print ISSN: 1991-8631