Assessment of Cost, Margin and Post-Harvest Losses of Cassava Value Chain in Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the cost structure, profitability and determinants of post-harvest losses (PHL) across cassava value chain actors in Kogi State, Nigeria. Data were obtained from 194 respondents comprising farmers (78), processors (58), traders (39) and transporters (19). Descriptive statistics, enterprise budgeting, Kendall’s coefficient and a multinomial logit model were used to analyze the data in line with the stated objectives. Results showed that medium PHL levels (11–20%) dominated at 42.3%, while 27.3% of actors experienced high losses exceeding 20%. Delayed processing was the most reported cause of PHL (64.4%), followed by poor storage (49.5%) and mechanical damage (33.5%). Cost and profitability analysis indicated that farmers earned a net income of ₦240,100 with a benefit–cost ratio (BCR) of 1.48, while processors recorded ₦105,500 (BCR=1.46). Traders realized a modest net income of ₦16,000 (BCR=1.20), whereas transporters operated at a loss (–₦23,200, BCR=0.70) due to high operational and maintenance costs. The multinomial logit results showed that improved varieties significantly reduced the likelihood of high PHL (–0.981, p<0.01), while mechanized handling (–0.644, p < 0.05) and access to extension (–0.793, p<0.01) also had strong mitigating effects. Conversely, storage duration (0.487, p < 0.01), transport cost (0.00038, p<0.01) and distance to market (0.114, p<0.05) significantly increased loss severity. Kendall’s coefficient (W) (0.61, p<0.01) confirmed strong agreement on constraint ranking, with transportation cost, poor road network and high input prices most severe. The study therefore concludes that targeted investments in rural infrastructure, mechanization, improved storage systems and strengthened extension services are critical to reducing PHL and enhancing cassava value chain competitiveness in Kogi State, Nigeria.