Innovative methods for identifying the training needs of shea butter processors in the north-central agro-ecological zone of Nigeria

Abstract

The acquisition, through regular training, of skills and knowledge on modern shea butter processing technologies by shea butter processors enhances their productivity, provides rural employment, ensures increased income, reduces rural poverty and reduces rural-urban migration. However, the level of shea butter production in the study area has drastically decreased resulting from deficiencies in processors’ performance in the extraction of shea butter by means of the available modern shea butter processing technologies. In view of this, a questionnaire, interview guide, focus group discussion and task, and skill-gap analysis were used in this study as innovative methods to identify the training needs of shea butter processors in the North-Central Agro-ecological Zone of Nigeria. The population for the study comprised of all shea butter processors in the study area. Primary data were collected from a total of 216 processors using a multistage sampling procedure, and purposive and a simple random sampling techniques. Well-structured questionnaire and interview guides were used to elicit information from processors during the focus group discussion. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and a training need analysis. The results revealed that the shea butter processors in the study area were mostly young married females with little or no formal education. They were Muslim, with large household sizes, and had approximately 15 years’ processing experience. Furthermore, they were members of co-operative societies that are capable of generating approximately ₦15,000 per month from shea butter processing activities. Common modern shea butter processing technologies available to processors for shea butter extraction include the following: shea kernel dryer, shea nutcracker and separator, shea kernel roaster, hammer mill crusher, disc mill, kneader, manual screw press, clarifier, and storage tanks. All the processors were aware of, and had access to, the available modern processing technologies. However, their adoption of these processing technologies was low. Nevertheless, in the study area, the use of modern technologies resulted in a higher shea butter production than the use of indigenous processing techniques. More than half of the processors derived benefits from the use of modern shea butter processing technologies. None of the processors attended training in modern shea butter processing technologies from 2010 to 2015. However, some of them were knowledgeable on the use of modern shea butter processing technologies. Most of the processors were not competent in kneading, milling, crushing and roasting tasks; hence their perception that a high level of training in these areas of tasks in modern shea butter processing technologies is required. Processors identified a processors’ workshop; field or factory training; and a proficiency course as the most preferred training methods. Processors preferred early morning training from Mondays to Wednesdays, in March and April. Most preferred institutions to conduct the training in modern shea butter processing technologies are Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) and Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs). Water scarcity (x̅ = 2.95), a lack of extension training (x̅ = 2.90), inadequate funds (x̅ = 2.87), and the epileptic power supply (x̅ = 2.36), were the severe constraints hindering the effective performance of processors in the use of modern shea butter processing technologies for shea butter extraction activities. As mentioned earlier, kneading, milling, crushing and roasting were all tasks in which respondents require extensive training. Significantly strong relationship exist between the processors age (r= 38.865, p < 0.00), gender (χ2 = 22.076, p < 0.00), marital status (χ2 = 22.076, p < 0.00), religion (χ2 = 14.196, p < 0.00), level of education (χ2 = 69.018, p < 0.00), household size (χ2 = 51.048, p < 0.00), years’ of processing experience (χ2 = 40.118, p < .00),membership to co-operatives (χ2 = 38.865, p =0.000) and monthly income (χ2 = 85.983, p =0.00) and training need. Significant relationships also existed between processors’ training needs and previously attended aspects of training (r = -0.159, p = 0.019), the time of training preferred (r = 0.240, p = 0.000), their knowledge (r = 0.412, p = 0.000), and their competence (r = -0.598, p = 0.000), in the use of modern shea butter processing technologies. However, the analysis of a t-test (t=0.636, p ≤ 0.05) of the training needs of processors’ from the Niger State and processors’ from the Kwara State indicated that no significant difference existed between the training needs of processors’ from the two States. Subsequently, it is recommended that extension service providers in Nigeria, should give urgent attention to the identified training needs (Raw Materials Research and Development Council, the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) and Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs). Thereby addressing the lack of training and improving shea butter processors’ skills and knowledge, in order to increase their productivity, so that they can meet the demands for domestic consumption, export and increase household income. Further recommendation was that borehole water be availed to shea butter extraction sites, and that the government, via the co-operatives, should offer loans to processors.