Processing of melon plays a significant role in the livelihood of rural women as it serves as their major occupation. Despite its significant role, the women processors were faced with some challenges. This study, therefore, identified the challenges faced by women in melon processing in Enugu-Ezike Agricultural Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 80 respondents using a structured questionnaire coupled with an interview schedule and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that the majority of the women processors were advanced in age, well experienced, do not belong to a cooperative society, and relied strictly on processing melon as their source of livelihood. They had an average income of N286,400 (USD 751.71) per annum. Low capital, poor credit facilities, high transportation cost, price fluctuation, rapid deterioration, low supply of melon, poor storage facilities, high cost of processing machine, and breakage of seed were the identified constraints facing them. The study recommended that the women processors should form a cooperative society which will help in financing and easy marketing of their products. Also, the government should provide financial assistance, good storage facilities, and subsidized melon processing machine to increase efficiency.
This study set out to empirically determine the current state of individual and household adaptation to climate change in the United Kingdom and how policy makers can improve on it. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative approaches (mixed method). For the quantitative aspect of the study, a quota-sampling technique was employed in the selection of 650 respondents for the study using a well-structured questionnaire. The quota representation was based on age and gender. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logit regression. In addition, qualitative content/topic analysis of an in-depth interview of the respondents was employed in further analyzing why and how policy makers can improve climate change adaptation. Findings from the study indicate the dire need for continued government support in household and individual adaptation in Leeds, and this support should also be encouraged in other cities where government intervention is low. Interventions in the form of subsidies, direct regulations, and public awareness are needed. The implementation of these measures is expected to generate a wide range of additional benefits to most vulnerable groups who should be central to the rapidly expanding climate change research and policy agenda in the United Kingdom.
Financial inclusion is a key to economic development and has continually gained increased attention across countries, particularly in developing countries where there is relatively high rate of financial exclusion. In Nigeria, despite several measures taken to promote financial inclusion, there is still high rate of financial exclusion among rural women, as rural people and women are generally more financially excluded. This article provides an overview of financial inclusion, analysis of the patterns and dynamics of financial inclusion in Nigeria and the pathway for promoting financial inclusion among rural women is discussed. The article posits informal savings groups as a potential pathway to financial inclusion among rural women, by reviewing journal articles and grey literatures. The review shows that most rural women are participating in informal saving groups, but these saving groups are however faced with some challenges, such as limited income base, inability to receive remittance and vulnerability to theft. The pathway to financial inclusion among rural women discussed include, sensitizing these rural women through financial literacy, thereafter fostering informal saving groups which most rural women are already aware of their operations and thirdly, linking these groups to formal financial institutions. We conclude that informal saving groups have great potentials of accelerating financial inclusion among rural women, therefore Government should carry out financial literacy campaigns among rural women and policies that promote financial inclusion should be designed building on informal saving groups.
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