CASSAVA PROCESSING ENVIRONMENTAL EXTERNALITIES AND WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR IMPROVED WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Processing of cassava roots into various products generates substantial cassava waste which has environmental implications, hence the need to encourage adoption of improved waste management systems among cassava processors. This study examined the cassava processing environmental externalities and willingness to pay (WTP) for improved waste management systems in Ogun State. A multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted to select two hundred (200) respondents for the study. The first stage was the purposive selection of two Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zones (Abeokuta and Ikenne), due to their massive involvement in cassava production and processing, while the last stage involved a systematic random sampling of cassava processors in the study area. Using a well-structured questionnaire, primary data were obtained on cassava processors’ socioeconomic characteristics, cassava processing methods, types of cassava wastes, cassava processing environmental externalitiesperceived, willingness to pay for improved cassava waste management systems, and influence of socioeconomic characteristics on the adoption of improved cassava waste management systems. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentages, mean), Logit regression model (LRM), and multivariate probit (MVP). Findings reveal that 83.0% of the cassava processors were female; with mean age, annual income, processing experience, mean bid price (WTP price) and household size of 43 years, ₦603,000.00, 15 years, ₦1,320.00 and 6 persons respectively. Findings also reveal that 43.5% of the processors had primary education, 46.5% had access to extension services, 68.5% were married, and 78.0% were into thrift savings while 9.0% belonged to processing associations. The major types of cassava wastes generated by the respondents were cassava wastewater (99.5%), cassava peels (81.0%), foul odor (75.5%), and smoke (70.0%). Furthermore, cassava processing environmental externalities were perceived as highfor organic matter ( = 4.20) and engine oil spillage ( = 3.94) respectively while it is moderatefor flies infestation ( = 2.76) and very low for cyanide generation ( = 1.00). LRM reveals that bid price (ꞵ = -0.032) significantly (p<0.05) influenced the WTP for improved cassava waste management systems. MVP results showed that gender (ꞵ =1.363, p<0.01), extension visit (ꞵ = 0.005, p<0.01), quantity of cassava processed (ꞵ =1.008, p<0.05) and annual income (ꞵ = 0.220, p<0.01) had positive influence, while access to financial credit (ꞵ = -0.330, p<0.01) negatively influenced the adoption of improved waste management systems. This study concluded that the cassava processors are willing to pay for improved waste management systems by reducing the bid prices and increasing extension services. This study recommended that there should be more extension services in the study area, to promote the use of improved cassava waste management. Processors should also be encouraged to join processing associations to enable them stay well-informed, innovative and have access to financial credit.