Gender Differentials in the Processing of Kolanuts for Marketing in Southwest Nigeria

This study determined the gender differentials in the postharvest processing of kolanut. The study was carried out in Ondo State of Nigeria. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select respondents. Two kolanut producing local government areas (LGAs) Ife East and Ondo East were purposively selected from the state. From Ife East, Ifekola was selected while Bolorunduro community was selected in Ondo East. A total of 150 kolanut processors were randomly selected from the two communities. Structured questionnaire was used to collect information from the respondents. The data retrieved from the information collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. Most (70.67%) of the respondents are 50 years and below while 29.33% of the respondents are above 50 years of age. About 64.67% of the marketers are females while 89.33% of the processors are married with 83.33% of the respondents having formal education. Ninety percent of adult females were involved in the soaking of kolanuts in preparation for peeling and 10% of adult males were involved in the same activity. Also, for peeling of kolanuts activity, 96.0% of adult females were involved and 4% of adult male were involved. Ninety seven percent of adult female and 3% of adult male were involved in washing of the peeled kolanut. In the preservation of the peeled kolanut, 86% of adult female and 14% of adult male were involved. Forty six percent of the processors agreed that it is always very difficult to get fresh kolanut to buy. In a similar manner, 52.67% of the respondents agreed that preservative chemicals are not always available to buy. As regards the labour availability for peeling, 45.33% of the respondents are of the opinion that labour for peeling is always very difficult to attract. Some of the processors (32.67%), confirmed that leaves for storing kolanut is always very difficult to get. As regards the preservative chemicals, 54.67% of the processors believed that the chemicals are not always available to buy. In the study, more women are involved in all the activities involving kolanut processing than men. Women involved with kola production and marketing need to form groups to work together and purchase their materials in bulk from towns/cities near them.