Job Incentives For Rural Women In Nigeria: An Appraisal Of The Shea-Butter Extraction Option

Abstract

This study examined the viability of women livelihoods that is dependent on Shea butter extraction activities in Nigeria, using Kwara State as a case study. Specifically, the study examined Shea- butter extraction practices and facilities, costs and returns structure to Shea- butter extraction, factors affecting Shea- butter extraction and determinants of investments in Shea- butter extraction activities. For the study One hundred and twenty women households involved in Shea-butter processing were surveyed across the study area, Kwara State. Data collected was analysed using the descriptive statistics, partial budget analysis and regression Analyses. Results revealed that most women involved in Shea butter extraction activities were married and agile youths. Some of the women undertook Shea butter extraction activities as a minor occupation while about half of them undertook the activities as their major occupation.most of them were also members of cooperatives in their localities. Cost and returns analysis showed that the average gross revenue recorded in the study area is N776.58 per kilogram of processed Shea-nut. Total cost is N521.50 while the net income is N255.08. Returns to labour and management (RLM) is N86.18). Labour used, years of involvement in extraction and the quantity of Shea fruits processed were revealed as contributors to Shea butter output while years of formal education was shown to be an insignificant contributors. Constraints limiting Shea butter activities were shown to include inadequate capital, poor packaging and market, low domestic consumption/patronage of Shea-butter products, insufficient supply of water as well as high cost of equipment maintenance. The study therefore calls for sourcing of better market, provision of crucial social amenities including banks and micro-finance and the need for women to mobilise and collate rural funds via cooperatives.

Key Words: viability, average gross revenue, Returns to labour and management (RLM), Total

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