Effects of Rural Women Associations’ Activities on Marketing of Cassava by-Products in Oyigbo Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the effects of rural women associations’ activities on marketing of cassava by products in Oyigbo Local Government area, Rivers State, Nigeria. Two stage sampling procedure was employed for the selection of ninety (90) respondents for the research study. The data for the research was collected using a structured questionnaire and was analysed using frequency, mean and percentages. The findings in the study revealed that selling high-quality goods (86.7%), adding little profit (84.5%), using attractive packaging (76.7%), and giving a discount to steady customers (60.8%) were the major strategies used by rural women to market cassava by-products in the study area. While the major effects of rural women association activities on cassava by-product marketing were building capital for their marketing activities through daily/weekly/monthly contribution (M = 3.13), experiencing more sales with the help of their association (M = 2.94) and learning of available marketing opportunities from their association (M = 2.94). Also, the study found out that the major challenges faced by rural women in marketing cassava by-products were high cost of transportation (M = 3.26); poor state of the roads causing much loss on transit (M = 3.20); limited access to capital or credit (M = 2.72); exorbitant dues by market association (M = 2.61) and inadequate storage facilities (M = 2.56). From the study, it was recommended that formal training should be organized for women to participate and learn more about cassava byproducts. Credit facilities and capital should be made available for the women for them to be able to carry out their marketing activities. A good road network should be provided for the women for easy transportation of their products.