Characteristics of small-scale palm oil production enterprise in Anambra State

Abstract

The study examined characteristics of small-scale palm oil production enterprise in Anambra State, Nigeria. All the palm oil producers in Anambra State formed the population of the study. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents for the study. Data were collected from primary source through validated interview schedule. Data were presented and analyzed using percentage, mean score and factor analysis. Findings show that: mean age was 48.67 years, household size, 7.00 persons and palm oil processing experience, 18.3 years. The majority (93.3%) processed palm fruits as individual or family enterprise, 51.7% pounded cooked palm fruits in large wooden or concrete mortars, 55.8% used hand pressing and 85.0% used NIFOR /Stork hydraulic hand press. The findings further showed the mean annual quantity (174.67 litres), revenue (N 163,417), cost (N 68,000) and profit (N 88,417) of palm oil production, implied that palm oil production in the area was profitable. The major constraints to palm oil production were related to incentive/infrastructure, productivity and socio-economic. The need to improve productivity by encouraging increased use of modern technologies and ensuring good markets for palm oil to encourage more farmers to take up the enterprise was recommended.