Women in Rural Development: An Appraisal of Yam Chips Processors in Saki Area Oyo State, South West Nigeria

An investigation was carried out to appraise the processing of yam chips in Saki Area of Oyo State, South West, Nigeria. Purposive stratified random samplings of 150 respondents in 8 processing centres using structured questionnaire were adopted. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) were used to analyse the socio-economic variables while chi-square was used to capture the relationship that exists between socio-economic factors and output, and also between year of experience and output. However, the study revealed that 95% of the processors were females with age ranging between 20-60 years. Majority of the processors (76%) were married, while 43% had junior and secondary school education. Eighty-five percent of the processors were Muslims. Using chi-square, all the tested socio-economic variables had no statistical effects on output and socio – economic characteristics of the processors. The study also revealed factors militating against large scale production of yam chips in this area of study. Recommendations such as provision of loan and credit facilities, provision of modern equipment and social amenities were suggested in order to increase production thus assisting in alleviating poverty in this area.