Full Length Research Paper

Consumption patterns and intra-household roles in the production, processing and marketing of soyabeans in the Northern Agricultural Zone of Benue State, Nigeria

A. E. Agwu¹*, J. Ellah², E. Ekweagwu¹ and J. C. Iwuchukwu¹

¹Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

²Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (BNARDA), Zonal Office Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria.

³National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Enugu Zonal Office, Enugu State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: agwuekwe@hotmail.com.

Accepted 31 December, 2008

The study determined the consumption patterns and intra-household roles in the production, processing and marketing of soyabeans in the Northern Agricultural Zone of Benue State, Nigeria. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data from a sample of 80 randomly selected respondents from ten extension blocks. Findings indicated that majority (71.3%) of the households prepared their soyabeans farm manually while family and hired labour (66.3%) were the major sources of labour. Sixty per cent of the respondents grew sole soyabeans on their farm. Majority (75%) of the respondents grew improved varieties of soyabeans and majority (97.5%) of the respondents also used planting methods recommended by the Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority. More than half of the respondents consumed soyabeans on daily basis mostly in form of paste. Adult males played major roles in acquisition of land, site selection, purchasing of fertilizers and herbicides as well as agro-chemical application. Adult males, females and children were more involved in land preparation, weeding and harvesting of soyabeans. The study further showed that the serious constraints experienced by farmers in soyabeans production, processing and marketing include high cost of hiring tractors, high cost of fertilizers and other agro-chemicals and lack of finance. This study recommended the provision of institutional loans and credit facilities to encourage farmers to produce more soyabeans.

Key words: Inter-household roles, soyabeans, consumption patterns, major constraints.