Analysis of Gender Involvement in Oil Palm Fruit Processing in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyzed gender involvement in oil palm fruit processing in Imo State, Nigeria. The study specifically identified the methods used by men and women in the processing of oil palm fruits, ascertained the level of involvement of men and women in oil palm fruit processing and examined the constraints faced by men and women in oil palm fruit processing in the study area. Multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted in selecting 240 respondents comprising 120 men and 120 women oil palm fruit rocessors for the study. Primary data were used for this study. Data were collected with the use of structured questionnaire and analyzed with the use of both descriptive (frequency, percentage and mean) and inferential statistics (Z-test). The results revealed that semi-modern (52.50%) method was the major method used by men in the processing of oil palm fruits in Imo State. It also revealed that semi-modern (60.00%) method was the major method used by women in the processing of oil palm fruits in the study area. The results also showed that men ( = 2.45) and women ( = 2.76) were highly involved in oil palm fruits processing activities in the study area. Unavailability of improved technology and equipment ( = 2.27), poor access to improved seedlings ( = 2.26), inadequate land ( = 2.21) and distance to processing mills ( = 2.19) were the serious constraints faced by men in oil palm fruit processing in Imo State. Unavailability of improved technology and equipment ( = 2.43), inadequate land ( = 2.41), poor access to improved seedlings ( = 2.35) and distance to processing mills ( = 2.16) were serious constraints faced by women. The Z–test result revealed a significant difference in the level of involvement of men and women in oil palm fruit processing at 5% level of probability. The study concluded that both men and women were highly involved in oil palm fruit processing in the study area. The study therefore recommended that the state government gears up efforts in providing processing mills and modern, efficient processing equipment which would further enhance men and women involvement in oil palm fruit processing in the study area.

Keywords: Gender, Oil palm fruit, processing, Imo State