FACTORS AFFECTING LOCUST BEANS AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN OTE

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page

Approval page

Dedication

Acknowledgment

Abstract

Table of content

CHAPETR ONE

INTRODUCTION 

1.1        Background of the study

1.2        Statement of problem

1.3        Objective of the study

1.4        Research Hypotheses

1.5        Significance of the study

1.6        Scope and limitation of the study

1.7       Definition of terms

1.8       Organization of the study

CHAPETR TWO

Review Of Related Literature

CHAPETR THREE

Research Methodology

3.1    sources of data collection

3.3        Population of the study

3.4        Sampling and sampling distribution

3.5        Validation of research instrument

3.6        Method of data analysis

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.1 Introductions

4.2 Data analysis

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Summary

5.3 Conclusion

5.4 Recommendation

Appendix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abstract

The African locust bean tree has socioeconomic and cultural values among local people in Nigeria. This study reported here sought to investigate the factors affecting locust beans production among rural women in Ote ( a rural village in Kwara state. A total of two Hundred (200) farmers was randomly selected by the researcher as the population of the study, the researcher uses the Taro Yameni to arrived at the sample size of the study. The researcher uses the chi-square statistics, non-parametric test statistics (SPSS) to test the research hypotheses, in which a conclusion was arrived at and recommendations made to improve the production of the locust beans

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study

African locust bean tree (Parkia biglobosa) is an important tree species used widely in arid and semi-arid regions of Africa including Nigeria. Parkia bigloblosa is common around villages in the savannah areas of West Africa where it is normally left to stand whenever the land is cleared for farming operations. African locust bean tree is a perennial deciduous tree that has dark green and alternate bi-pinnate leaves. The tree is extremely hardy and grow well in a wide range of soils; survive fire during the dry season period and less prone to pests and diseases (Sadiku, 2010). In Nigeria it is commonly found in guinea savannah zones of the country and has become very important for food security. It is a species that is recognized internationally as a therapeutic food as well as a source of income for the rural populace (Kourouma et al, 2011). It is an important indigenous multipurpose fruit tree with the following uses: food, medicine, livestock feeds, fibre, and fuel among others. The African locust bean tree has socioeconomic and cultural values among local people in Nigeria. It is characterized by its fruits which are elongated pods with seeds that are processed into a fermented product (condiment) known as ‘Iru’, ‘Dadawa’ and ‘Ogiri’ in the Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo Languages respectively. A mature locust bean tree can produce about one ton of harvested fruits in a season. The fruit has a brown colour when ripe and contains numerous black seeds embedded in yellowish sweet tasting pulp which can be made into colourful and refreshing drinks. The sugary pulp can be eaten raw, used in traditional sweetmeats or mixed with water to make refreshing drinks. The tree provides income for women who are involved in gathering and processing of the fruits and marketing of the tree products especially during the off-season period. As a leguminous crop, the tree plays an important role in nutrient recycling and also act as a buffer against the effect of strong wind and water runoff and thus, protecting the crops and the soil. The dung and urine of livestock that shelter under the locust bean tree’s shade is beneficial to the underlying soil by improving its fertility. As a Non-Wood Forest Product (NWFP) it provides succour for rural communities in terms of subsistence as well as revenue generation (Adejumo et al., 2013). The flower and fruits of the tree are used as medicine. For example, leaves and barks from the truck or roots are used to treat various diseases and wounds while, the fruits and leaves also serve as fodder for livestock. The tree can be regarded as a true life saver as its fruits mature during the dry season when most other vegetation had dried and thus make it an important source of emergency food with a high nutritional value. The popularity of its product ‘Iru’ across the West African countries makes it an important commercial item (www.nourishingtheplanet.org, 2011). Apart from the flavouring attribute of the processed locust bean “Iru”, it also contributes significantly to the intake protein, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphate, iron content and essentials fatty acids, particularly vitamin B, riboflavin and vitamin A (Aju et al., 2008; Oduro et al., 2007; Popoola and Galaudu, 2000; Beaumont, 2002; Oladele et al., 1995; Musa, 1991; Odunfa, 1985). Table 1 shows the nutrition composition of locust bean seed. It is also called by different local names in different localities; for instance, it is referred to as “kinda” in Serria Leone, “kpalugu” among the inhabitants of Nothern Ghana, “nere” in Burkina Faso. “Igba” in Yorubaland and “worku” in Ghana (Diawara et al., 2000; Odunfa, 1985). The tree produces many benefits; it produces fruits which are enclosed in numerous large pods, and it tolerates a wide range of alluvial, sandy and lateritic soil, and also resists pest and diseases, survives fires and strives in full sun and tropical heat. Within Africa, clearly its prospects are greatest in West Africa, where the trees are planted and its products are known and loved. The fruits are brown in colour when ripe; it contains numerous black seeds embedded in yellowish sweet tasting pulp. This yellowish pulp can be made into colourful and refreshing drinks. Also in the dry area, locust bean trees serve as potential sources of food, edible oil, fodder lumber, fire wood and green manure. It was estimated that about 200,000 tons of Africa locust beans seeds are gathered each year in Nigeria alone, as well as large quantities are produced in the savannah region. A matured locust bean tree (20 – 30 years) can bear about a tone and above of harvested fruits. From experience, the tree can start to bear fruits from five to seven years after planting (Musa, 1991). The most important use of African locust bean is found in its seed, which is a grain legume, although it has other food and non – food uses, especially the seeds which serves as a source of useful ingredients for consumption (Campbell-platt, 1980). It has also been reported that the husks and pods are good food for livestock (Douglass et al, 1996; Obiazoba, 1998). The fruit shell traditionally is used to extract a substance that helps to harden the natively made house floors and can be an important source of tannin for leather tanning. The yellow powdery substance (ngolo) which our people use in our native gruel (kunu) that can be taken pure or fed to pigs is known to have useful extractable products (Musa, 1991). The seeds (karwa-hausa; ngin-ham; Iyere – Yoruba), which traditionally are used as food condiment (dawadawa – Hausa; iru-yoruba; soumbala in Burkina faso, mali, cotdeivoire and guinea) are known to be rich in protein and contain easily digestible calcium. (Conversation with Dr. H. G. Bwala, now Commissioner of Health, Borno State): Dr. Shok indicated that the seed in addition to be rich in protein contains 20% edible oil. (Musa, 1991). So nutritionally, the locust bean is very important particularly in the third world countries where the need for protein supplementation is high for both adult and infants. The harvesting technique of locust bean is universally the same that is, by the use of a hooked light pole. The farmer climbs up the tree and leans on bigger branches and stretches out the hooked pole to reach every bunch. The processing of locust bean fruits into food condiment undergo series of unit operations and it was observed that these unit operations are still done manually by the processors in Nigeria which has made the processing of locust bean seeds into food condiment to be faced with challenges. Therefore, the objective of this review is to highlight the challenges confronting the processing and the production of locust bean seed and possible way out.

• STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Despite the multiple benefits of the locust bean tree as highlighted above, it is still limited in number on the field, even after the species seem to be protected by the natives. The reasons that could be adduced to the low population of the tree include uncontrolled bush burning, which is a popular practice in the savannah area during the dry season. The young seedlings are destroyed and thus reduce its population density. However, it is not clear whether the local farmers have knowledge of the horticultural practices relating to its production. A substantial amount of the locust bean species grows in the wild and thus exposed the young seedlings to harsh weather conditions. Identifying how local farmers perceive the African locust bean tree as an economic tree could offer insight into the way the nutritional and socioeconomic potentials of the tree could be sustained to meet the needs of the rural populace. It is in view of these that prompt the researcher to embark on this study to access the factors that impair effective production of locus beans.

• OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The general objective of this study is to ascertain the factors affecting the production of locust beans amongst rural women in Ote Kwara state.

But to aid the completion of the study, the researcher intends to achieve the following

1.4 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. To ascertain the effect of bush burning in locust beans production
2. To investigate if there is any relationship between illiteracy farmers and the production of locust beans

• To investigate the effect of manual processing on the production level of farmers

1. To proffer suggested solution to the identified problem
   • RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

To aid effective completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher

H₀: bush burning does not have any effect on the production of locust beans in Ote village in Kwara state

H₁: bush burning does have effect on the production of locust beans in Ote village in Kwara state

H₀²: there is no significant relationship between literacy of farmers and the production of locust beans.

H2: there is a significant relationship between literacy of farmers and the production of locust beans.

• JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

The effectiveness and efficiency in the production of locust beans amongst rural women in Ote village in Kwara state is hinged on several factors. Several constraints are identified in the production and consumption of the condiment. These include, among others, low production due to the use of rudiment equipment, high wood consumption and poor manufacturing practices. Dehulling and cooking of the locust bean seeds are time consuming, laborious and inefficient. Consequently, the production of this condiment has not increased substantially.

As part of my requirement for the award of Bachelor degree (B.Agric) in Agric economic and extension, this study is carried out to ascertain the factors affecting locust beans production amongst rural women in Ote village in Kwara state.

• OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

Locust Beans

Parkia biglobosa, also known as the African locust bean or néré, is a perennial deciduous tree of the Fabaceae family

Production

Production is a process of combining various material inputs and immaterial inputs in order to make something for consumption

Processing

The processing of locust bean fruits into food condiment undergo series of unit operations and it was observed that these unit operations are still done manually by the processors in Nigeria which has made the processing of locust bean seeds into food condiment to be faced with challenges.

 

 

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