FACTORS INFLUENCING LEVEL OF VALUE ADDITION FOR EDIBLE MUSHROOMS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
Keywords:
Agaricus bisporus; value chain development; processing method; protein.Abstract
Despite the increasing economic and nutritional importance of edible mushrooms in Nigeria, there remains limited empirical evidence on the factors influencing value addition within the sector. This research investigated the determinants of value addition in the context of edible mushroom production in Ogun State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected through a cross-sectional survey involving 120 respondents selected using a multistage sampling technique from the study area. The study employed dominance analysis, Likert scale, and multiple linear regression techniques. Dominance analysis showed that 47.0% of the respondents have completed secondary education, with an average age of 53.5 years. Major challenges faced by mushroom producers and marketers were: inadequate infrastructure (81.2%), limited value addition equipment (76.7%), low consumer awareness regarding mushroom nutrition (66.6%) and quality control issues (65.2%). Empirical results from the regression model indicated that processing techniques (β = 1.9937; p < 0.10), loan acquisition (β = 0.9642; p < 0.01), education (β = 0.2877; p < 0.05), years of experience (β = 0.2902; p < 0.05), and cooperative membership (β = 0.3923; p < 0.10) significantly influenced value addition in mushroom production. Conversely, sex, branding and packaging, marital status, and household size showed no significant effects. The study concluded that adoption of modern processing methods, improved access to credit, enhanced education and experience, and participation in cooperative societies are key drivers of value addition in edible mushroom production in the study area. It recommends that government and other relevant stakeholders should create an enabling environment that supports technological adoption, capacity development, and financial access for mushroom producers to enhance value addition and market competitiveness.
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