Author(s): Udume Mercy E, George Tayo O, Fagbohun O, Ozoya Mercy I and Olonade Olawale Y
Apart from their mothering roles, women in Isalu are contributing heavily to nutritional development, farm employment and food security. Agriculture has continued to play a dominant role in the Nigerian economy. Prior to the oil boom, the Agricultural sector accounted for more than half of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and employed about 80 percent of the adult working population. The agricultural industry in many developing countries is underperforming, in part because women, who represent a crucial resource in agriculture and the rural economy through their roles as farmers, labourers and entrepreneurs, almost everywhere, face more severe constraints than men in access to productive resources. Data collection was based on secondary data obtained from text and archival materials. The study investigated the constraints militating against oil palm production in Isalu community in Ado-Odo Ota Ogun State, Nigeria. The study examined the socio-economic characteristics of the women and their effects on palm oil production; examined specific tasks done by women in palm oil processing in the study area; determined the factors which affect women’s productive capacity in palm oil production and on the basis of findings made recommendations for improvement. The study made recommendations for the provision of enabling environment for improving the productive capacity of women. This paper re-affirms that women make essential contributions to agriculture and rural enterprises across the developing world.