Abstract:
This study investigated the impact of cooperative societies on women’s involvement in groundnut processing within Agricultural Zone I of Niger State, Nigeria. A sample of 205 groundnut processors was randomly selected using the Taro Yamane formula, with a 5% error tolerance and 95% level of confidence. The research encompassed various aspects, including the socio-economic characteristics of respondents, their level of engagement in cooperative activities, output and income determination, the influence of cooperative societies on groundnut processing, benefits derived from cooperative involvement, factors affecting women’s participation in cooperatives, and constraints faced by groundnut processors.
Data collection primarily relied on questionnaires, and the gathered data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ordered logit regression, Kendal’s coefficient of concordance, and multiple regression. The findings revealed that the mean age of respondents was 43 years, with the majority (88.8%) being married and 59.3% having formal education. The average household size was 10 persons, and respondents had a mean processing experience of 12.9 years. The study also showed that 74.2% of participants had access to credit, with 40% of it coming from cooperative societies, while 60% purchased groundnuts from the market. Cooperative activities were well-received, with a high participation rate in attending meetings (96.6%), saving to raise shares (80.5%), and saving money together (74.2%).
In terms of cooperative involvement, more than half of the respondents (56.1%) exhibited a medium level of participation, with an average annual income above ₦400,000. They were primarily engaged in processing groundnuts into cake and oil. The study identified several benefits derived from cooperative societies, including access to information, acquisition of skills and training, and availability of processing inputs.
The regression analysis indicated that age, household size, experience, access to training, access to credit, amount of credit received, labor employed, and amount invested significantly influenced women’s involvement in cooperative societies. Moreover, constraints experienced by women groundnut processors were related to the high cost of fuel wood, processing equipment, and inadequate capital.
Correlation analysis revealed that age and experience had a significant relationship with respondents’ level of involvement in cooperative activities. Additionally, the Z-test results demonstrated a significant difference in income and output of respondents before and after joining cooperative societies.
Based on the study’s findings, it is recommended to explore alternative methods to reduce women groundnut processors’ reliance on fuel wood. Encouraging older women to join cooperatives could enhance their output, and providing incentive support may increase women’s participation and involvement in cooperative societies.
Influence of Women’s Participation in Cooperative Societies on Groundnut Processors’ Income in the Agricultural Zone I of Niger State, Nigeria. GET MORE, ACTUARIAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS
