COSTS AND RETURNS TO SMALL SCALE CHEESE PRODUCTION IN ODEDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OGUN STATE

Abstract

The protein deficiency problem of the average Nigerian has been tackled and addressed in many ways. Not much attention has however been pleaced on milk producrion and its derivatives such as cheese. Alabata in Odeda local government area of Ogun State is a nomadic Fulani settlement where cattle are bred for their meat. In this process, mating occures and calves are produced. The lactating cattle are milked and the milk in processed into cheese. This study investigated the socioeconomic characteristics of the cheese producers and cost and returns to cheese making. Data were randomly collected from forty respondents in five settlements in the study area. The study revealed that most (92.5%) of the respondents were females, majority of whom were married. The model age group was 21-30 years. Cheese production was found to be profitable with an average monthly profit of N2964.43 from 309 litres milk. The return on investment was 1.53 meaning that for every N1.00 invested, a revenue of N1.53 was made. The absence of good water sources and poor transportation networks were identified as some of the problems hindering the overall efficiency of the profits.