ROLE OF GENDER IN CASSAVA PROCESSING IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Well Researched and Ready to use Masters Dissertation, page number: 77, Department: Agricultural Economics

ABSTRACT

The study was designed to investigate the role of gender in cassava processing activities in Enugu state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of cassava processors; ascertain various processing activities undertaken by men and women and their level of participation; identify and describe the type of technologies adopted in cassava processing and their output; analyze and compare costs and returns of processing cassava tubers into various products; identify the factors affecting the profitability of cassava processing; and identify the major constraints faced by cassava processors in the area. Data for the study was collected from a sample of 240 respondents (comprising men and women cassava processors) whose responses were sought on their processing activities. Descriptive statistics, participation index analysis, budgetary analysis, ordinary least square (OLS) method and exploratory factor analysis were used in analyzing the data

while chow test and student t-test were used to test the hypotheses. The results showed that majority (73.4%) of the respondent were women; 62.50% were married while men (11.66%) and women (24.58%) processors were between 41 and 50 years of age. About 29% of women processors had no formal education while 10.83% of men attained primary education; 9.58% and 23.33% of men and women processors respectively had between 16 – 20 years of processing activities. Also about 24% of the men earned annual income of between N61,000 and N80,000 while 28.75% of women earned between N41,000 and N60,000. Result on the type of processed products obtained by the processors shows that; Garri, Akpu, Chips and Abacha were the major cassava by-products processed. The participation index of men and women in cassava processing activities shows that men sometimes participate in cassava processing activities while women always participate in virtual all the activities of cassava processing with a grand mean of 2.25 and 2.94 respectively. Result on the type of technology employed shows that both men and women processors employed trado-modern techniques in processing of cassava tubers into various products. Average times to process 335kg of cassava into the following products were: garri (16hrs 25mins and 11hrs 6mins) for traditional and modern techniques respectively), Akpa (fermented cassava paste) (87hrs 57mins), chips (63hrs 33mins) and abacha (16hrs 95mins). The gross margin analysis on the net returns of processing 335kg of cassava tubers into various products shows that processing of chips is more profitable when compared to other processed products. Multiple regression analysis indicates that years of

experience, level of education, extension contact, access to credit, processing capacity, and access to labour had positive (P<0.01) effect on the level of profit made in cassava processing. Both null hypotheses were rejected. Result on exploratory factor analysis shows that; financial constraints (factor i), institutional constraints (factor ii), and infrastructural constraints (factor iii) were the major constraints faced by cassava processors in the study area. It was concluded that there is a substantial difference in the level of men and women participation in cassava processing and whenever men are involved, they play complementary roles. The study therefore, recommended that gender sensitive analysis polices should be vigorously pursued by government and nongovernmental organization and Agricultural extension agents should intensify more efforts in disseminating improved processing technologies to processors.

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