ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF PROCESSING AND MARKETING OF CASHEW PRODUCTS IN UDENU LOCAL AREA, ENUGU STATE
ABSTRACT
This study aims in identification of cashew products that can be utilized in cashew. This ranges from cashew nuts, apple and cashew nut shell liquid {CNSL}. It also tries to elaborate on the techniques used in the processing of cashew. Products and also ascertain the factors affecting the processing of the products in the study area. The problems encountered in the processing and marketing of cashew products were also studied. The study is based on the use of statistical tools for data analysis. These tools are the mean, percentages and tables. Marketing margin, marketing costs and net return to marketers where also obtained. The primary used were collected from 50 respondents through questionnaires. The results showed that products identified in the study area are cashew nuts, Apple or fruit, roasted nut and the cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) which is extracted from the nuts which can be processed in many forms. The techniques of processing was though traditional or mammal means of open pan roasting which was the only processing method available in the area studied. The problem encountered in the processing and marketing of cashew products are under-utilization of the products, non-access to credit facilities, lack of good road networks and other social amenities, labor, finance, lack of storage system, non-access to credit facilities, lack of skill and non-access to the use of mechanized system equipments and instability to create efficient and effective marketing networks.
Finally a recommendation was made that the processors should given access to credit facilities, mechanized system of processing and internationally accepted system of grading. Government should also provide basic amenities such as roads, power (light), markets, hospitals, water to take care of their social and economic needs.
