Tree nursery MSEs were being carried out by 4 per cent of the sampled WGs. These
MSEs are carried out in the farms owned by individual members, since most WGs do
not have their own land. The success of these MSEs therefore depends on the reaction
of the husband of the member in whose farm the project is located. It was also noted
that most WGs operate tree nursery MSEs on a seasonal basis thriving only during the
long and short rains seasons. Hence the MSEs depend very much on weather
conditions. Sometimes the tree seedlings overgrow due to lack of demand. Some WGs
indicated that they give the seedlings to members to plant in their own farms free of
charge in case supply outweighs demand. None of the groups involved in the tree
nursery MSEs indicated success. Instead it was a story of misery, despair and
frustration. When the failure rate was computed, it was found to be 100 per cent for the
tree nursery MSEs. This failure implies that efforts had been wasted, work had been
done in vain, hope had been frustrated and money spent for nothing (UNESCO, 1994).
Cattle dips were run by 2 per cent of the sampled WGs. The groups buy chemicals
and charge a fee per animal for the dipping service. The cattle dips are run with the
help of the local administration. The success rate for this category of MSEs was 50 per
cent implying a failure rate of 50 per cent. Two cattle dips were indicated by two
groups as their most successful MSEs. When sustainability indices were computed for
the two MSEs, they were found to be 59 and 68 (Table III). This is quite encouraging
given the gender aspects of the WGs. The major factors identified as affecting cattle
dip MSEs were: high cost of chemicals; poor maintenance; lack of managerial skills;
lack of technical skills; lack of support from the community due to cultural and
traditional beliefs; and political interference.
From the sample, 2 per cent of the WGs in the study area were running Nursery
schools and Secretarial colleges. The Nursery school project was 100 per cent
successful and had adequate enrolment. The sustainability index computed from the
data given was found to be 52 per cent for these MSEs (Table III). The Nursery schools
were doing quite well as compared to the Secretarial College. The success of these
project was attributed to: high affinity for education on the part of the parents for their
sons and daughters; less complicated managerial and technical skills that are needed to
run it; less capital needed to start such a project; and support from the local
community. However, payment of fees by parents/guardians was not very
encouraging. This calls for tact and diplomacy on the part of the WGs to deal with
the problem.