2. Gender Differential in the Intensity of Adoption of Oil Palm Processing Technology in South West, Nigeria

Abstract

This research work investigated gender differential in the intensity of adoption of processing technology in South West, Nigeria. The primary data used for this research were collected using questionnaire. Multistage sampling method was used to pick 320, comprising of 160 each of both males and females oil palm processors. The information collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and double hurdle model. The findings of the study revealed that many of the male (89.2%) and female (89.6%) processors had knowledge of improved technology of processing oil palm. Also, 77.4% and 89.0% of the both male and female processors, respectively uses the digester, semi mechanized method of processing. The impact of extension services was not really felt in the study area as only few (4.3% and 2.2%) of the male and female processors respectively sourced their information through extension agents. The Double Hurdle Model results revealed that factors affecting adoption of the oil palm processing technology were education, access to finance, extension services, association, and experience of the female respondents while for the male respondents it includes education, extension services and experience. The outcome of the second hurdle model showed that factors affecting the intensity or adoption rate of technology among the female were extension services, level of education, access to finance and experience while for male respondents were level of education, extension services and memberships of association. Therefore, one can deduce that most of the processors in the area of study were not privileged to benefit from extension education and training. This might have negative impact in their enterprise and as well deny them in terms of information and innovative technologies to take good decisions that will increase their production level. Extension service is a paramount factor influencing adoption of technology and adoption rate of processing technology by both male and female genders. It is therefore recommended that government should provide extension services for processors in South west, Nigeria to increase level of acceptability of processing technology.