ADOPTION OF IMPROVED OIL PALM PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES AMONG WOMEN PROCESSORS IN ETHIOPE WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE

Abstract

ADOPTION OF IMPROVED OIL PALM PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES AMONG WOMEN

PROCESSORS IN ETHIOPE WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STAT.

Onyemaechi Ugboh, Ph.D and Obinyan Noel Uadiale

Department of Agriculture, University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria

Email:onyemaechi.Ugboh@Unidel.Edu.Ng

ABSTRACT

The study examined the adoption of improved oil palm processing technologies among women

processors in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State. Specifically, the study determined:

the socio-economic characteristics of oil palm processors, the level of awareness of improved

processing technologies among palm oil processors, the level of adoption of improved processing

technologies by palm oil processors and the constraints to adoption of improved oil palm processing

technologies. A total of 120 respondents were randomly selected from eight extension cells. Data

were obtained by use of structure interview schedule and were analyzed and presented by the use

of mean, standard deviation and percentage. The major findings of this study were that the mean

age of respondents was 45years, the mean processing experience of respondents was found to be

13years, the mean farm size was found to be 2ha, majority of the respondents were educated, there

Was a general low awareness of technologies among the oil palm processors and there was a

general low level of adoption of technologies among the oil palm processors. It is recommended

that Delta State Agricultural Development Programme (DTADP) should create more awareness in

these technologies that processors indicated low awareness and credit facilities with low interest

should be extended to processors to enable them meet financial requirement in adopting improved

oil palm processing technologies.