Pepper production and the socio-economics status of rural women in Oyigbo Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the effect of pepper production on the socio-economic status of rural women in Oyigbo Local Government Area,  Rivers State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were; identify the types of pepper produced; ascertain the forms of production systems used;  ascertain the effect of pepper production on the women’s socio-economic status; and identify the challenges encountered by rural  women. A multi-stage sampling method was used to collect data from sixty (60) women pepper producers using questionnaire. Data  collected was analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as mean, frequency, percentages and charts. Results on the type of pepper produced by these women indicated that the women produced habanero pepper (39%), sweet pepper (25%). It also showed that the  women employed various forms of pepper production methods such as multiple cropping and irrigation (100%), 21% cultivated pepper  all year round and 22.8% were subsistence producers. It was also found out that women were more involved in harvesting and  transportation of pepper with mean scores (3.08). The effects of women involvement in pepper production on their socio-economic  status were improved number of eating time (100%), adequate food supply (93.4%), a better standard of living (90%), and contributions to family expense (86.6%) among others. The rural women were faced with several problems such product spoilage ( x̄=3.68), lack of  extension services (x̄ =3.58), poor technical-know how ( x̄=3.37) and theft ( x̄=3.30). Based on the findings, the study recommends that  women pepper producers in the study area should be sensitized by both public and private agricultural extension service providers on  pulled-fund and financial agencies involved in soft agricultural loans, which can help raise their capital base.