Evaluation of Gender Participation in Palm Oil Processing In Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State

The study investigated Gender participation in palm oil processing in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State. Specifically, the study ascertained the level of involvement of gender in palm oil processing; assessed processing activities that are gender specific, and identified constraints associated with palm oil processing. Sixty (60) respondents comprising male and female processors were randomly selected. A set of structured questionnaire and interview schedule were used to elicit primary data which was subjected to descriptive (frequency, mean, percentage) statistical analysis. Findings showed that male processors mainly involved in digesting (6.7%), boiling (16.7%) and palm oil extraction (20%). While the females are mainly found in areas of clarification (6.7%) and nut/fibre separation (6.7%). Results further showed that scrapping/stripping (5%), palm oil extraction (18.3%) and boiling (15%) are male specific operations. While digestion (8.3%), clarification (5%) and storing (5%) are female specific. The study strongly recommends that issues on gender difference should not be ignored by policy makers because of its negative implications.