ABSTRACT

The study focused on gender analysis of oil palm production and value addition in Abia State, Nigeria. The contributions of women within the farm household have not been fully recognised especially in oil palm production and value addition and less value attached to their roles. The study therefore examined the extent of involvement of men and women in oil palm production activities, determined extent of involvement of men and women in the activities of oil palm value addition, identified problems faced by men and women in oil palm production and ascertained men and women problems in oil palm value addition. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 180 respondents with equal number of male and female respectively. Data for the study were obtained through the use of a structured questionnaire that was pre-tested. The results were analysed with frequency, percentage, mean and T-test. Results shows that male respondents were more involved in oil palm production activities seedling sourcing (X = 2.8), planting (X = 2.9) and harvesting (X =3.4), while female respondents were more involved in oil palm value addition activities picking (X =2.9), boiling/sterilization (X= 2.9), palm oil clarification and purification (X = 2.9), marketing of palm oil (X = 2.9) and marketing of palm kernel nuts (X = 2.9). Major problems observed in oil palm production across men and women respondents were inadequate land, inadequate credit/finance, cultural belief and unavailability and high cost of hiring climbers. Major problems observed in oil palm value addition across men and women respondents were long distance to processing mills, poor transportation methods, unavailability of technology and equipments, lack of storage facilities. There was significant difference between men and women involvement in oil palm production. There was significant difference between men and women involvement in oil palm value addition. Recommendations were that agricultural extension agencies should ensure that improved seedlings of oil palm are disseminated to oil palm farmers for replacement of aging groves and establishment of new plantations. This will minimise the dependency on wild grove sources for oil palm production. Improved methods of harvesting and processing oil palm should be provided to encourage youth participation in the activities.