Traditional Salt Processing Activities of Rural Women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

• Published in: Journal of agricultural extension 2021-10, Vol.25 (4)
• Main Authors: Juliana Chinasa Iwuchukwu, Clement Okechukwu Attamah, Charles Ubani Chukwuonu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1119-944X; 2408-6851

The study investigates traditional salt processing activities of rural women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Two LGAs were purposively selected out of the 13 LGAs in the state and a total of 90 respondents were used for the study. Frequency, percentage and mean score were used in data analysis. Most (68%) of the respondents belonged to salt makers group. Majority (98.9%) of the salt makers indicated that their method of salt production involved pan evaporation with firewood. Most (62.9%) of the salt makers engaged in salt production during the dry season. A greater percentage (63.2%) indicated that they fetch brine anytime they want as the need arises. Majority (86.6%) indicated they used ash to filter the brine while majority (97.2%) reported that it takes less than 1 day to filtrate. Most of the women (66.8%) produced 6-10 bags of salt in a month while 53.4% sold 7-10 bags in a month. Findings disclosed that salt makers sold salt at an average price of N3,650. Findings shows that 24.7% earned N10,000- N19,999 per month. Findings also revealed that major contributions of salt making to the wellbeing of households were: medicinal value (M=2.96), payment of children/ward school fees (M=2.96), better feeding and nutrition (M=2.93) among others. The study recommends that government should provide aids to the salt processor by providing the basic infrastructure to improve the quality and quantity of salt produced. Keywords: Salt, women, Ebonyi State