Indigenous fish processing and preservation practices amongst women in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The paper investigates indigenous fish preservation practices (IFPs) amongst women of Epe Division in Lagos State of Southwestern Nigeria. Total 120 women engaged in fish processing and preservation were interviewed from five riverine communities in the study area through a multi-stage sampling procedure. About 52.5% of the respondents were solely engaged in fish processing and preservation; 47.5% combined fish processing and preservation business with other income-generating activities. Majority (82.5%) of the respondents were members of the cooperative associations. Salting, sun drying, smoke-drying and frying were the most popular processing and preservation techniques utilized by the women. About 55% of them, however, utilized between 3 and 4 of such methods. Lack of storage facilities, inadequate capital, smoke pollution, low sales of products and transportation problems were identified as major constraints.