Characteristics And Role Of Women In Artisanal Fishery In Selected Riverine Communities In Southwestern Nigeria

The study focused on women\'s demographic characteristics, role and limitations in artisanal fish production in selected riverine communities in Southwestern Nigeria. Data were collected from 120 women respondents from 12 riverine communities in two coastal states (Delta and Ondo States) in Nigeria. Results show the respondents were largely illiterate (40.83%), married (78.33%) with an average household of 9 and a mean age of 37 years. Respondents participated regularly in fish smoking with a mean score of 3.0 and marketing (2.94), while fish frying (2.47) and drying (2.01) were sometimes undertaken by them. Their level of participation in these activities was strongly influenced by their martial status (rho = 0.682) and household size (0.791). Lack of modern processing with mean score of 4.57 and storage facilities (3.72) as well as transport difficulty (3.59) were the most serious production constraints encountered by the respondents. Dissemination of improved processing methods, provision of electricity and upgrading existing road network were l recommended Keywords: Women, artisanal fisheryGlobal Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 2 (2) 2006: pp. 19-2