Gender Role in Sustainable Palm Oil Production in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper explored gender role in sustainable palm oil production in selected communities of Imo State. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 60 respondents for the study. Data were collected using interview schedule and analyzed using mean score and percentage. The estimated average monthly income of palm oil producers was ₦30,967.00. The respondents perceived improved palm oil production method as the only sustainable method ( χ=3.46). The wine press (χ =2.93) and hydraulic press (manual) ( χ=2.80) were the only palm oil production equipment accessible to palm oil producers. The respondents perceived that women played major role in sustainable palm oil production activities such as fruit steaming (86.7%) and oil drying (73.3%) while all gender (women, youths, men) played major role in second pressing (73.3%). There was no specific role performed majorly by men but youths performed major role only in harvesting of oil palm fruit (53.3%). Lack of finance ( χ=3.53) and ultra-modern palm oil production equipment ( χ=3.50) were perceived as the main constraints to sustainable palm oil production. The study concluded that although women played major role in palm oil production, all gender (women, youth and men) were increasingly getting involved in palm oil production.

Keywords: Gender role, Palm oil, Production, Imo State