Income generation from shea butter production by women in North Central States of Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed women involvement in shea butter production in the shea growing areas of the north central states of Nigeria by specifically examining their socio-economic characteristics, ascertaining their income generation and their level of control over the resources used. Data were collected from 193 respondents from Niger and Nasarawa States of Nigeria using questionnaire and interview schedule method and analyzed using percentages and t-test statistics. Results revealed that most respondents had between 1-5 years’ experience in shea butter production, were married, illiterate, young (30-39 years), with family size of 5-7 persons and did not belong to any farm association. They had significant control over resources such as mortar, pestles, and bags, and threads used in shea butter production since most of these were purchased by them. Their major finance source was personal savings (69.1%). Respondents principally carried out direct marketing or sales (99.5%). The average output (shea butter) was 3,691kg per annum. Average income of all respondents was about ₦795,772 but about ₦43,031.0 individually. T-test results revealed that respondents’ average output in Nassarawa State (2582.47kg) was significantly (t=2.00; p≤0.05) lower than that in Niger (4811.75kg) State. Niger State respondents earned significantly (t=3.56; p≤0.05) higher income (₦47,861.86) than Nassarawa State respondents (₦38,958.33). The study recommended that the women groups should be should be linked to microfinance institutions to increase their access to finance, trained on shea butter production process in order to improve their competence.