<p></p><p>                    <b>TABLE OF CONTENTS</b><br></p><p>Title page——-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—i</p><p>Certification——----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—ii</p><p>Dedication———------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------iii</p><p>Acknowledgement—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—–iv</p><p>Table of contents——-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------–v</p><p>List of table—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------——viii</p><p>Abstract——----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—ix</p><p><strong>

Chapter ONE

</strong></p><p>1.0 Introduction——–---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1</p><p>1.1 Background Information—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—1</p><p>1.2 Statement of the Problem ——-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6</p><p>1.3 Objectives of the Study—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—7</p><p>1.4 Hypotheses of the Study—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—8</p><p>1.5 Justification—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—–8</p><p><strong>

Chapter TWO

</strong></p><p>2.0 Literature Review—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—-10</p><p>2.1 Gender Roles in Agriculture—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—24</p><p>2.2 Rubber (Hevea Brasiliensis)——--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------26</p><p>2.3 Botany of Rubber—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—-27</p><p>2.4 Climatic and Soil Requirement—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------–28</p><p><strong>

Chapter THREE

</strong></p><p>3.0 Methodology—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—–39</p><p>3.1 Area and Scope of Study—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—39</p><p>3.2 Population of the Study——-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------40</p><p>3.3 Sampling Techniques——--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------40</p><p>3.4 Data Collection Instrument——------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------41</p><p>3.5 Method of Data Analysis—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—41</p><p>3.6 Measurement of Variables—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—42</p><p>3.6.1 Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents------------------------------------------------------------—42</p><p>3.6.2 Assessment on Involvement in Rubber Production Activities/Tasks-------------------------------------------42</p><p>3.6.3 Sources of Production Information—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------–42</p><p>3.6.4 Adoption of Rubber Technologies—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------–43</p><p>3.6.5 Perceived Factors affecting Rubber Production —-----------------------------------------------------------------43</p><p>3.6.6 Suggested solutions to the production constraints ---------------------------------------------------------------—43</p><p><strong>

Chapter FOUR

</strong></p><p>4.0 Results and Discussion—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—44</p><p>4.1 Personal Characteristics of Respondents—---------------------------------------------------------------------------44</p><p>4.1.2 Age of Respondents ——------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------44</p><p>4.1.3 Gender —---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—–44</p><p>4.1.4 Marital Status of Respondents—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------–45</p><p>4.1.5 Religion of Respondents—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—45</p><p>4.1.6 Household Size——--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------45</p><p>4.1.7 Farm Size—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—–46</p><p>4.1.8 Farm Ownership—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—-46</p><p>4.1.9 Educational Level of Respondents --------------------------------------------------------------------------------—–46</p><p>4.1.10 Non Farm Occupation—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—-47</p><p><strong>

Chapter FIVE

</strong></p><p>5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations—--------------------------------------------------------------------------73</p><p>5.1 Summary——----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------–73</p><p>5.2 Conclusion——------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------–73</p><p>5.3 Recommendations—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—-74</p><p>REFERENCES—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—–75</p><p>APPENDIX 1—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------——80</p> <br><p></p>