Involvement of Women in Oil Palm Processing in Ile-Oluji / Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the involvement of women in oil palm processing in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of Ondo State where 120 women palm oil processors were sampled. Interview schedule was used and the data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Chi- square analysis. Results revealed that respondents were still in their active age, 69.5%were below 40years of age, majority(85.8%)were married, while majority (60/7% were Christians, 60.0%were farmers, 35.8% were traders while 2.5% were hair-dressers. The results indicated that about 52.5% of respondents had 1-5 household members. Furthermore 35.0% of the respondents had14-19 years of farming experience. Chi-square analysis revealed that there is significant relationship between involvement of women in oil palm processing and some socio-economic characteristic like marital 2 status (x = 6.066); education among the processing methods. Advisory services to the women palm oil processors by agricultural extension agency to enhance adoption of modern integrated technology to reduce stress and increase productivity was recommended; Keywords: Involvement, palm oil processors, women, productivity, integrated technology 2 2 (x = 10.007) and income (x = 43.008).Only digestion was significant among the processing methods. Advisory services to the women palm oil processors by agricultural extension agency to enhance adoption of modern integrated technology to reduce stress and increase productivity was recommended;