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The purpose of this study was to compare the physico-chemical properties and amino acid profile of three maize hybrid cultivars grown in Nigeria.

Two normal maize endosperm varieties, yellow SUWAN-ISR (YNM) and white ART/98/SW05-OB-WC (WNM), and one yellow QPM variety, TZE-POP-DT-STR-QPM (YQPM), were selected for the study. Physico-chemical properties, physical tests, proximate composition analysis, functional properties and characteristics and amino acid profile tests were carried out on the grains using standard methods.

Protein was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in YQPM (10.49 per cent) than in normal endosperm, YNM (8.83 per cent) and WNM (8.50 per cent). Amino acid profile of the grains revealed that total amino acid of YQPM (94.67 g/100 g of protein) and essential amino acid of YQPM (39.070) were the highest among the three, with highest significantly different value of tryptophan (0.388 g/100 g of protein) at p < 0.05. The cooking quality of YQPM was found to be better than the other two, with highest hydration capacity and increase in volume after cooking (90.8 ± 0.01 g/1000 grains and 147.53 ± 0.02 per cent).

YQPM will be highly beneficial in the tropics, where maize is grown as the major staple food to reduce hunger and malnutrition because of its amino acid balance and its better cooking quality.

The purpose of this paper is to develop poundmix for reconstitution, such as pounded yam, from yam, cocoyam and breadfruit blends and to evaluate their nutritional compositions.

Pregelatinized flours of yam, cocoyam and breadfruit were prepared separately. Three coded samples of 30, 40 and 50 per cent composite blends of poundmix were formulated. The proximate composition, starch, vitamin C and mineral elements contents of the poundmix were determined and the results were subjected to statistical analysis.

The protein contents of poundmix samples were 5.6, 6.1 and 6.2 per cent for 30, 40 and 50 per cent composites, respectively, which is an increase from that of whole yam (4.8 per cent). Significant difference also existed between the starch content of the poundmix and that of the whole yam flour (p<0.05). However, there is no significant difference in the overall acceptability of the poundmix samples and that of the whole yam flour at p<0.05.

The paper's findings show that supplementing poundo yam at 40 per cent composite level has the best nutritional composition and organoleptic scores and so it is recommended for both household and industrial practice.

The purpose of this paper is to develop a cereal/legume-substituted cocoa-based beverage using cocoa powder, malted sorghum flour, soybean flour and defatted melon seed flour and to evaluate their physico-chemical, nutritional and sensory properties.

Malted sorghum was prepared; flours of soybean and defatted melon were also prepared separately. Two samples were formulated, the first formulation tagged CPM1 contained 60, 10, 20 and 10 per cent of cocoa powder, malted sorghum, soybean flour and melon flour, respectively, and the second sample tagged CPM2 contained 65, 05, 20 and 10 per cent of cocoa powder, malted sorghum, soybean flour and melon flour, respectively. A commercial product (Noble Vita) was purchased from local market as reference sample.

Protein contents of formulated samples (16.93 and10.58 per cent for samples CPM1 and CPM2, respectively) are higher than that of the Noble Vita (6.35 per cent). The vitamin C content of the formulated samples was found to be 13.38 and 13.50 mg/100 g, an improvement from that of the reference sample (6.13 mg/100 g). Significant difference exists in the overall acceptability between the formulated samples and the reference sample (p < 0.05), and the formulated samples were more acceptable.

Formulated samples are nutritionally richer than the reference sample and that they are capable of supplying limiting nutrients in the diet of majority in the developing countries.

This study analyses income inequality and distribution patterns among key actors in the cassava value chain. The study also identifies factors that influence profit of key actors in the cassava value chain.

The study was conducted in Oyo State, Nigeria, using primary data from 620 actors, consisting of 400 farmers, 120 processors and 100 traders in the cassava value chain. The Gini coefficient was used to estimate income inequalities within and between actors. Multiple linear regression was applied to identify factors that influence the profit of the actors in the cassava value chain.

The result shows a gender pattern in the participation in the cassava value chain: men dominate in the production, whereas women mostly engage in processing and marketing of processed cassava products. We also find that incomes are unequally distributed among actors, favouring traders and processors more than farmers in the value chain. Women are better off in processing and trading of value-added products than in the raw cassava production. Spatial differences also contribute to income inequality among farmers in the cassava value chain. An increase in farmers and processors’ incomes reduces inequality in the value chain while an increase in traders’ income widens inequality. Age is significantly negatively correlated with actors’ profit at 1%, while educational level significantly increases their profit at 5%. Processors and traders with large households have a higher profit. We also find that farm size, experience and labour input have significant positive effects on farmers’ profit only at 5%. Membership in an association increases farmers and processors’ profit at 1 and 10%, respectively.

The study recommends that agricultural policies that promote agrifood value chains should aim at minimizing income inequality by targeting vulnerable groups, particularly female farmers to achieve sustainable development in rural communities.

Existing studies recognise income inequality in agricultural value chains in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there are few rigorous quantitative studies that address this pressing issue. Our paper fills this knowledge gap and suggests ways to minimise income inequality in the agri-food value chain, using the example of the cassava value chain in Nigeria.