ANALYSIS OF PERCEPTION AND THE LEVEL OF USE OF IMPROVED PROCESSING AND STORAGE FACILITIES AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This research was carried out to assess the perception and the level of use of improved processing and storage facilities among rural women in Kwara State. Specifically, the study described socio-economic characteristics of rural women, assessed the frequency of use and ascertained perception of women on the use of improved processing and storage facilities. A three stage sampling procedure was used to select 160 rural women from who data was collected using structured interview schedule. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Findings revealed that 60.6% were aged above 50years, 79.4% were married, 48.8% had no formal education while 62.5% were non-member of cooperative society. PPMC analysis between socio-economic characteristics and the use of improved processing/storage facilities among rural women indicated that level of formal education (p=0.002, r=0.240) and membership of agricultural society (p=003, r=0.237) showed positive significant relationship while age (p=0.000, r=-0.299) and marital status (p=0.000, r=-0.308) showed negative significant relationship at p<0.05 level of significance. The study concluded that women in the study area were low users of improved processing and storage facilities despite having favourable perception towards using them. It was therefore recommended that extension service should engage in training women and dissemination of affordable processing and storage technologies to the rural communities.