Contribution of Soap Production to Livelihood of Rural Women in Selected Local Government Areas of Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the contribution of soap production to the livelihood of rural women in some selected Local Government Areas of Oyo State, Nigeria. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of 80 respondents for the study. Data were collected using questionnaire and interview schedule. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency, percentage and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Finding of the study revealed that 63.8% of the women were within the age range of 26-45 years. Nearly all the respondents (97.5%) produce soap for commercial purpose. Earnings from the livelihood activity were relatively low due to small-scale nature of women enterprises in the area. The result also indicated that proceeds from the livelihood activity were used mostly for feeding (41.3%) and educating children (36.3%). Constraints faced by the respondents’ were inadequate finance (65.0%) and scarcity of raw material (61.2%) as well as inadequate modern skills and lack of successor with 60.0% response each. The result further showed that age had significant relationship (r=0.288) with the contribution of soap production to the livelihood of the respondents in the study area. Based on the findings, it was suggested that Microfinance Banks in the area should provide loans to women soap producers to enable them improve the productive capacity of their enterprises. While youths should be encouraged through extension education to participate in soap making in the area.