Value Addition and Consraint of Hardwood Timber Industry in Ijebu Division of Ogun State, Nigeria

The study focused on the value addition and constraint of hardwood in   timber industry in Ijebu Division in Ogun State. The study made use of both the primary and secondary data. The instrument used for collecting the primary data was a set of structured questionnaires. A multistage sampling technique was used in sample enumeration. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed in analyzing the data for the study. The finding showed that 32.6% of the industries were retailers and 30.4% were wholesalers of timbers and also had regular supply of the products. The operational capital among the timbers traders was N3, 641,905.6 and the average annual income was N1, 682,064.2. The value-added sales ratio was 31% for door, 34% for table, 53% for pupil chair and 39% for benches. Pupil chair with 53% added more value to timber industries in Ijebu Division. Government policy, high cost of transportation, inadequate credit facilities and high cost of energy and power were some of the constraints faced by timber industries in the study area. The use of modern equipment and machines are need to replace the outdated equipment in order to increase the output and profit. The level of access to credit facilities should be improved upon by encouraging the respondent to form cooperative societies so that they can mobilize enough working capital for their business.