Abstract

Shea butter production activities in North Central States of Nigeria are sources of income to women in the area but the level of income received is generally low when compared with the potentials due to several factors one of which is the lack of awareness of the collectors and processors of sources of information and finance for superior handling and processing methods and equipment The study ascertained their sources of information and finance for the activity. Data were collected from 197 respondents which represented 50% of the 400 shea butter producers from Niger and Nassarawa states (200 from each state) using questionnaire and interview schedule and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that majority (89.6%) of the respondents had 11 years? experience in shea butter production. They were married, illiterate and young with the average age of 36 years and average family size of 8. Many belonged to cooperatives (about 58%). Extension agents constituted the major (57.9%) source of information for the respondents. They had some level of contact with agricultural extension workers with majority (48.7%) having contact with extension workers every 3-6 months. However, family and friends were equally important in Nassarawa state including extension agents (62.9%). The major source of finance for their shea butter processing business was personal savings (69.1%). However, Nassarawa state respondents depended more on personal savings with a percentage of 69.1% compared to Niger state (36%). The study recommends among others that other sources of information like the electronic media should be used to complement the efforts of the extension agents and the rural women should form cooperative bodies to access better funding for enhanced shea butter production for higher income and consequent improved standard of living.

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