Analysis of Beef Value Addition Practices among Butchers in Dekina, Kogi State, Nigeria

The study analyzed beef value addition among butchers in Dekina Local Government of Kogi State, Nigeria. Specifically, it described the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, identified the various butchering facilities used in the area, identified the by-products and value addition practices among butchers in the area. Using random sampling technique, 71 respondents were selected for the study and primary data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of the study showed that all the butchers in the area were male among who were youth (43%) and married (80.28%) and had primary education (49.3%) mostly. Their family size varies mostly between 1 and 5 with a percentage of 42.3 and they earn income between N101, 000 to N150, 000 annually. Majority (83%) of the butchers were experienced and were in the secondary category of the business. Slap (94%) and roof cover (87%) were the most facilities used. Bone (71%) and skin (71%) were the major by-products from beef processing in the area. Washing (100%), roasting (84.5%) and classification/sorting (83.1%) were the most value addition practiced. Butchering business in the area is characterized by poor handling, minimal value addition and little further processing The study therefore recommends provision of adequate slaughtering and storage facilities, development of industries that use the by-products and provision of value addition that will convert less important parts of the meat to valuable products.