Economic Assessment of R ural Women Participation in Processing and Marketing of Soybean in Tarka LGA of Benue State Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out in four markets namely: Wanune, Asukunya, Tiortyu and Gwarche markets from which 109 women processors and marketers were sampled. Structured questionnaires were used to elicit relevant information from the women. The first objective described the socio-economic characteristics of processors and marketers of soybean in the study area; the second identified the different forms of soybean product in the study area; the third determined the level of rural women participation in the processing and marketing of soybean product in the study area; and the fourth determined the profitability of processing and marketing of soybean products. The gross margin analysis for marketing of soybean gave a positive sign (₦1,583), an indication that soybean marketing is a profitable as well as lucrative business in the study area. The role of the women can be improved upon with better education through promotion o farmers/women cooperative and government strategies involving women. This study however recommends that government should facilitate he availability o credit facilities, inputs and infrastructural facilities and also revitalize and encourage ago-based industries so as to improve the efficiency in processing and marketing of soybean.

Market Performance of Categorized Soybeans Marketers in Benue and Nasarawa State, Nigeria

“…This is expected since wholesale business requires risk which can be well managed by mature mind. This result agreed with Ezihe et al (2014) who found that majority (97.3%) of soybean processors are within the active age of between 21 and 60 years with average age of 37 years and Uwaoma (2015) who found the average age of soybean processor in Anambra State, Nigeria to be 43 years. 75.7% of soybean small-scale processors and 59.5% of retailers were female.…”

“…This result implied that the marketers can get frequent productive advice, assistance and support from their spouse. This finding also corroborates Ezihe et al (2014) who found that most (67.9%) of soybean marketers in Tarka LGA of Benue state, Nigeria were married and Uwaoma (2015) who also found that 91% of soybean processors in Anambra State, Nigeria were married.…”

Brain Re-Engineering Concept and Reimagination: Strategy for Rebranding Agriculture and Youth Engagement in Promoting Food Production

“…In communities where traditional values hinder women's empowerment, re-engineering their mindset, ideologies, and perceptions can create opportunities for them. Women play a significant role in agricultural production and household food security (Ezihe et al, 2014).…”

Profiling Smallholder Farmers Goals and Aspirations for Enhanced Agricultural Development: a Case of Smallholder Maize Farmers

“…Marital status is also a crucial factor in the farming profession. A high proportion of married respondents suggest an additional supply of labor from the family (Ezihe, Agbugba and Iornum, 2014). In view of this study, data was collected on the marital status of smallholder maize farmers, and Table 3 presented the results.…”

“…In essence, the use of family labor helped reduce the cost that would have been spent on hired labor. The implication of this is that more cost will be incurred due to more hired labor employed to supplement the family labor (Ezihe et al, 2014). Table 5 indicated that the number of years spent in maize farming is an important factor as it relates to the farmers' experience, and will in turn reflect the effectiveness of an agro-enterprise in order to yield a reasonable output.…”