Thriving business of yam flour ‘elubo’ in

Amala, a Nigerian delicacy made from yam. popularly known as “elubo” is not just part of thriving food business such as rice, beans but also commands large patronage in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). ADEOLA TUKURU, writes.
There is no doubt that Yam flour popularly known as “elubo”, is commonly sold in major food outlets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as residents from all works of life visit various restaurants to savour the delicacy.
“elubo” in yoruba dialect is made from Yam that has been peeled, sliced, cleaned dried and then blended into a flour.
The yam is white in colour but it turns brownish after it has been dried and it gives the elubo it’s thick brown colour.
After it is processed and prepared, the yam flour can be served with a variety of soup such as vegetables, ogbono, okro soup, ewedu, black soup amongst others.

The Amala business
A trader of “elubo”, in Nyanya market, madam Funke Oni, a mother of three from Oyo state market, in chat with Business Starter, says she make sales daily from the Yam flour because most food outlets patronises her on daily basis.
According to her, Amala delicacy has become part and parcel of residents in the city that cannot be overlooked, adding that she makes over N6,000 daily or more from selling that flour.
When asked how the flour is process, Funke explained that the flour is packed with fibre and has less calories than other staple flours.Speakinging to her, when cooked this dark fufu will be light and fluffy and will pair deliciously with any hearty west African soups.

The starting point
She told Business Starter that she came to Abuja in 2008 after she lost her husband in a ghastly motor accident and since then, she has been selling the flour.
From the business, she said, she has been able to build a two bedroom flats in Masaki and fend for her three children.
Explaining in yoruba, she said Amala can also be prepare from fermented cassava flour adding that the yam flour is more hygienic than Eba and Semovita.
According to her, it contains fewer calories and more protein per 100g than the cassava flour and it is good diabetic individuals.
There is abundant Yam grown in this country as Nigeria is the world’s largest producers of Yam with over six million metric tons per annum of this output, only about 5% is put into industrial use by way of chips and flour.
The minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, recently disclosed that Nigeria would begin the export of yam to other parts of the world saying that it is part of economic diversification and a potential foreign exchange earner for the country.
One of the more acceptable means of preserving Yam is to convert it to Yam flour, Yam chips and Yam flakes. The traditional processing method is outdated, laborious and grossly inefficient for mass production to satisfy the teeming population and local demand and make room for the export market to earn foreign.

Preservation process.
It’s proceeding increases it’s shelf life, adds value to the tuber from where it is processed before being exported to enhance its economic value, reduces waste and cuts down cm the cost of transporting the product to longer distances compared with the heavy wet tubers that are unprocessed.
The fact that this can be preserved helps to stabilise prices during off harvest season.

How to start Yam flour production
Yam is a noble food found in numerous locations all over Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. Yam is grown and processed profitably in Nigeria.
Figure available from research has shown that more than 70 million metric tons of yam is produced annually.
In spite of this figure, it is still hard to come by as demand seems to outweigh supply.
In Nigeria, the annual demand for yam flour is estimated at 200,000 Tons/annum. But presently, it is estimated that supply level is below 20% of the estimated demand. However, a few organisation have been producing on mechanised and commercial scale.
The things required to start a small and medium scale yam flour process include; drying machine, slicing, drying machine, slicing, chipping machine, milling machine and packaging machine.
The normal production cost of a Kg of yam flour is N236. the normal retail cost per Kg of good quality yam flour is N330 per Kg.
Yam is the undoubted main raw material for production of yam flour, and, yam is accessible all the year round in commercial use in many parts of Nigeria, notably, Imo, Enugu, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Anambra, Bayelsa etc.

The Business prospects in yam flour
Yam is a crop which may be cultivated and processed profitably in Nigeria. Studies revealed that the production of yam is more than 80 million metric tons for every year.
In spite of this figure, demand still exceeds supply.
Yam can either be utilized for household consumption or utilized as input by different producers. For instance, yam can be processed into chips or flour and sold locally or exported.
Yam flour is now as now a well-known food delicacy both locally and internationally. In Nigeria, the potential national demand for yam flour has been estimated to be in abundance of 300,000 Tons/Annul.
Facilities needed to start a little/medium scale yam flour production mill include but not limited to spaces to accommodate the following machines: slicing/chipping machine, milling machine and packaging machine drying machine etc.
Yam is a significant raw material for yam flour production, and it is accessible lasting through the year in commercial amounts in many parts of Nigeria. Nigeria is said to be the biggest producer of yam in West Africa.
The processing line for yam flour production Business is as per the following:
Sorting: This involves inspection of yam fingers to recognize and evacuate unsatisfactory ones i.e. spoilt, youthful pulps etc.
Weighing: The sorted yams are appropriately weighed to measure input of the raw yam.
Blanching: The green yam fruits are absorbed boiling point water for a few minutes to soften the skin for simple peeling.
Peeling: The yam peels are evacuated physically using sharp blades to obtain the mash.
Slicing/Chipping: The mash is cut or chipped with the guide of a mechanical slicer.
Drying: The cut yam is dried in a brief span with the guide of an industrial drying machine.
Milling: The dried yam cuts/chips are processed in a sledge process.
Sieving: The flour is sieved to obtain the craving molecule estimate.
Packaging: The flour is packaged in dampness proof packaging material prepared available to be purchased.
Presently, if you work a yam flour production business process that has the ability to handle 1tone of yam flour for every day, and you actualize a decent and effective marketing technique, the following normal month to month figures are valid: Production volume every month = 29tones (29000Kg), Deals = N9, 570,000, Coordinate cost of offers = N6, 844,000, Random = N500,000, Profit every month = N2,226,000. Yam flour production business factory can function profitably anyplace in Nigeria. The start-up cost at a little scale is around N6,000,000.
This will take care of the expense of obtainment of land, processing plant construction, furniture, vehicle and acquisition/installation of machinery.
Profit margin in Yam flour production business
Yam flour has now turned into a prevalent food today in both nearby and international market. In Nigeria, the potential national demand for yam flour has been estimated to be in overabundance of 300,000 Tons/Annum.
The present supply level is most likely under 20% of the estimated demand with just couple of organizations producing on mechanized and commercial scale
With the recently introduced credit loan by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the productive area, investors can always access credit to execute this project. Point by point feasibility study and an elegantly composed business plan is very pre-essential to get to such reserve.
The normal production cost per Kg of yam flour is N236, while the normal retail cost per Kg of good quality yam flour is N330 per Kg.
With the milling limit of the machinery referenced in this article, a month to month profit of N2, 226,000 is feasible, which means a yearly profit of N26, 712, 000.

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