Determinants of Rural Women Utilization of Indigenous Knowledge for Small Ruminant Production: Evidence from Southwestern Nigeria

In spite of rural women having considerable indigenous knowledge for use in livestock production in Southwestern Nigeria, its utilization for small ruminant production has not gained the desired prominence. This paradox raises profound questions for research in rural sociology and agricultural development. Therefore, this study ascertained the determinants of rural women utilization of indigenous knowledge for small ruminant production in Southwestern Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 220 respondents. Using interview schedule, data were obtained on respondents’ demographic and small ruminant enterprise characteristics, sources of information on indigenous knowledge for small ruminant production, knowledge on indigenous practices for small ruminant production, constraints to utilization of indigenous knowledge in small ruminant production, and utilization of indigenous knowledge in small ruminant production. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Pearson product moment correlation, and multiple regression at α0.05. The mean respondents’ age and household size were 51.0±17.0 years and 5.0±2.0 persons, respectively. Most were married, formally educated, engaged in crop farming as primary occupation and using personal labour. The average small ruminant rearing experience, number stocked/reared and monthly income were 18.0±11.0 years, 9.0±7.0 and ₦14,074.0± 17,150.0, respectively, with majority using extensive management system (57.3%). The indigenous knowledge information for small ruminant production was accessed mostly through family (x ̅=1.38) and 56.8% had high knowledge on indigenous practices for small ruminant production. Slow effectiveness of indigenous practices (x ̅=1.18) was the major constraint to utilization of indigenous knowledge for small ruminant production. Utilization of general management (53.6%), nutrition (65.9%) and health (57.3%) indigenous knowledge in small ruminant production were low. A little above half (52.3%) had low overall utilization of indigenous knowledge. Crop farming as primary occupation (χ2=30.7), rearing experience (r=0.34), numbers of small ruminant (r=0.19), extensive management system (χ2=8.57), personal labour source (χ2=7.03), income from small ruminant (r=0.14) and knowledge on indigenous practices (r=0.30) were significantly related to utilization of indigenous knowledge in small ruminant production. Determinants of utilization of indigenous knowledge in small ruminant production were age (β=0.04), household size (β=0.35), membership of small ruminant group (β=1.22), primary occupation (crop farming) (β = 1.40) and sources of information (β=0.67). Rural women in Southwestern Nigeria had low utilization of indigenous knowledge in small ruminant production, which was determined by age, household size, membership of small ruminant group, crop farming as primary occupation and sources of information. Therefore, extension agents should include indigenous knowledge practices education in information disseminated to rural women as well as encourage membership of small ruminant rearers group.