Production of Locally Woven Textiles for Poverty Alleviation in Makurdi Local Government Area

Abstract

This study investigated the production of locally woven textiles for poverty alleviating in Makurdi Local Government Area, Benue State. A survey research design was used for the study. Five research questions guided the study. The population for this study comprised 550 local weavers and dyers. A sample size of 352 were purposively selected and used for the study. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire developed by the researchers from the review of literature. Data collected were analyzed using frequency count, simple percentage, mean and standard deviation. The findings showed that narrow loom was majorly used for the production of local fabrics, the white and black colour of Tiv traditional woven textile fabrics were produced in large quantities representing 45% compared to Idoma and Igede tribes in the state. Majority of local weaver had difficulty in getting initial capital to start production, most of the local weavers adopted a strategy of constant supply of woven fabrics in the market in order to alleviate poverty. The study concluded that the Tivs have high regard for locally woven fabric which forms the bed rock for their cultural celebrations. More than half of the local weavers earn between N50, 000 to N55, 000 Per annum representing 86% of the local weavers. The study recommend among others that jobless youths to learn basic narrow loom fabrics production skills of local woven fabrics in order to earn a living for themselves.