Enhancing Income through Cocoyam Production, Processing and Consumption Patterns In Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to investigate the production, processing and consumption patterns/ forms of cocoyam among farmers in Dunukofia local Government Area in Anmabra State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 60 male and female respondents for the study. Data were collected with the use of pre-tested questionnaires. The data were analyzed using percentage, mean scores, personal observation and focus group discussions. Results showed that majority of the respondents (77%) were females while (25%) of the respondents had no formal education. The result also showed that out of six local species grown, three were the most prominent. They include Ede ofe, Edebuji and Indian coco. Cocoyam is one of the major crops grown in the study area, and that Edeofe ranked the highest grown specie out of the three major grown species. Akanoke was the least grown among the six species in the study area. The production patterns were that majority (78%) of the respondents use their backyard or compound farm for cocoyam production. The result also showed that about (80%) of the respondents intercrop cocoyam with other crops. The cocoyam can be processed and consumed as a soup thickener, fufu, mgbogu, roasted achicha and boiled in the study area. The study recommended that government should encourage genetic improvement researches on cocoyam especially on non -scratchy species/types, introduce improved production and processing techniques, pharmacological medicinal and industrial uses should be encouraged in all ecologically suitable areas.