Level of women involvement in yam processing in Ibarapa North and Lagelu Local Government Areas Of Oyo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study analyzed the level of women involvement in yam processing in selected Local Government Areas of Oyo State. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select one hundred and thirty-two yam processors for the study. Primary data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire through the assistance of trained enumerators. The analytical techniques employed included descriptive statistics, Ordinary Least Square (OLS) and Logit regression analysis. It can be concluded that many of the processors processed mainly for sale as income generation/livelihood source while civil service, yam processing and farming topped the major occupation of the sampled women in the area at 39%, 38% and 21%, respectively. Further, majority (82%) of the processors used traditional methods of yam processing. The main sources of information to the processors were family and friends and, workshops and seminars. The level of involvement of the processors in yam processing activities was high except milling activity. Marital status and age of the processors, among others, were the main determinants of yam processing into yam flour in the area. Finally, the finding revealed that high cost of milling machine and unstable electricity were most severe constraints militating against yam processing in the area. Based on the findings of this research, it is therefore recommended that the price of milling machine should be subsidized by the government for easy access by yam processors, alternative sources of supply should be put in place by processors in the study area