The Economics Of Household Palm Fruit Processing In Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area Of Imo State

ABSTRACT

This study is on economics analysis of household palm fruit processing in Ahiazu Mhaise LGA of Imo State. 60 processors were chosen randomly for the study. Questionnaire were used for data collection. Data analysis was done using means, frequency distribution, percentages and regression analysis. The result shows that processors in the study area were middle age and literate. The result shows that majority of the processors had large family size and are experienced in palm fruit processing. The result further shows that the respondents in the study area incurred a high processing cost. The result also shows that majority of the respondents had personal savings as their major source of capital. Further more, the study reveals that palm fruit processing was profitable with net profit ofN37699.48 per palm fruit processor. Processing cost and source of capital were significant flexors influencing palm fruit processors in the study area. To enhance palm fruit processing in the study area, government should make and implement policies that will reduce processing cost and improved the level of capital available to palm fruit processors. This would help sustains the level of profitability of oil palm processing in the study area.