ABSTRACT

The study investigated the utilization of coconut and oil palm products in Orumba south Local Government Area of Anambra state. The objectives of the study were to find out the categories of coconut and oil palm parts by rural home makers, comparison between the utilization of coconut and oil palm parts by rural home makers, the exploration of other products that could be derived from coconut and oil palm parts and the extent to which the products would be accepted by rural homemakers. A total of six hundred (600) drawn from eight (8) out of fifteen (15) communities in the Orumba south local government area were selected through simple random sampling techniques. Four hundred (400) respondents were used to answer the questions on the questioners and two hundred (200) were used for determining the acceptability of produced products. Percentages, means and ANOVA were used in analyzing the data obtained some data were graphical represented. The result of the study showed that the use of oil palm kenel fiber for the production of the valuable items like eggs craft had 0% respectively. While to throw away and not utilizing the parts had 90% and 60% respectively. This showed that rural homemaker do not adequately utilize coconut and palm parts. in determining the acceptability of the produce items the result showed that rural homemakers likes the items with mean of the 2. and above, would want to use had below the of 2. in the most of the item. While would neither use nor produce also had below the mean of 2. in most of the items which indicated that rural homemakers liked products but would neither use nor produce the items. In comparing the usability of both palms the result showed that rural homemaker would want to utilize oil palm parts than the coconut palm parts because it generates more money. Also in comparing the accepted the products from oil palm part than products from coconut parts. Recommendations made include that rural homemakers should be taught by economic extension workers the usefulness of making of coconut and oil palm parts. Government and non governmental organization (NGOs) should organize local products fairs, exhibitions, workshops etc. to encourage the use of locally produced products.