ABSTRACT

The study investigated the economic analysis of bambara groundnut production by women farmers in Igbo Etiti Local Government area. A total of 70 farmers were selected at random and interviewed for the study. The survey aims among others to identify and analyse the socio-economic characteristics of women farmers, identify the constraints to the production of the legume, determine the profitability and make recommendations based on findings. Both primary and secondary data were used primary data were based on field survey involving administration of structured questionnaire while secondary data were obtained by a review of existing literature and official publications. The data were analysed using simple percentages, frequency and cost-return analysis. The result revealed that 86.7% of the farmers obtained land through inheritance and this offers stability in land development measures, unlike when purchase and renting were to be prevalent. Seventy — one percent had farm sizes ranging from 0.3 — 0.5 ha which is also a set back in maximization of production potentials. The production operated at a profitable level of N9,213. the major constraints identified in bambaranut production include lack of investment funds, storage facilities and bad roads. It is recommended that a well planned extension programme should be designed to reach these women farmers who possess the potentials to enrich the enterprises, if properly guided.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page . ii

Abstract iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Certification .. vi

Table of Contents ... vii & viii

List of Tables ix

List of Figures x

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

1 . 1 Background Information 1

1.2 Statement ofthe Problem S

1 .3 Objectives of the Study 7

1.4 Justification of the Study . 8

CHAPTERS TWO

2.0 Literature Review

2.1 Women in Agriculture 9

2.2 Legumes in general 13

2.3 Constraints in Legume utilization . 15

2.4 Importance of bambara groundnut .. 16

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Methodology

3.1 Area of Study 18

3.2 Sources of data . 19

3.3 Sampling Procedures 19

3.4 Date analysis 19

3.5 Limitations 20

Chapter four

4.0 Result and Discussions

4.1 Socio — economic characteristics of women bambara nut farmers

4.1.1 Age 21

4.1.2 Marital Status 22

4.1.3 Educational level .. 23 -

4.1.4 Years of experience .. 23

4.1.5 Occupation 24

4.1.6 MethodofLandacquisition 25

4.1.7 Labour Sources .

4.1.8 Mode of land preparation 26

4.1.9 Farm Size 27

4.2 Problems encountered . 27

4.3 Cost and Returns of bambara groundnut production 28

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Summary, Recommendations and conclusion

5.1 Summary 32

5.2 Recommendations an conclusion. - . 33

References 35