Analysis of women participation in farmer group activities in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The level of access of women to production resources can be enhanced through their active membership and participation in farmers’ associations. However, most farmer-groups in Nigeria are male-dominated. The study therefore analysed women farmers’ participation in farmer-group activities in Kwara State. Specifically, the study identified the expectations of women from group membership; determined their level of participation; identified constraints to participation; and investigated the determinants of participation. A two-stage random sampling technique was used to select 142 women farmers on which a structured interview schedule was administered. Descriptive statistics, Likert scale, and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) Regression Analysis were used to analyse and present the data collected. The results revealed that the mean age, years of experience and farm size of the respondents were 46.9 years, 22 years and 3.2 acres, respectively. Access to farm credit (57 %), self-help (49.4 %), and farm input (31.1 %) were the most important expectations from membership. The level of women participation was low (mean = 2.87) and determined by age, years of experience and farm size at P < 0.05. Financial constraints, poor sense of belonging, inappropriate timing of activities and socio-cultural discrimination were the most severe challenges to participation. The study concluded that women participation in farmer-group activities was low, influenced by their socio-economic characteristics. Therefore, we strongly recommend a multi-dimensional approach to enhance women’s participation in group activities.

Determinants of Rural Women Involvement in Farming Activities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

“…In other words, active age of the women was an incentive to their active participation in farming activities. The finding concurred with Omotesho, et al [12]; Adams [9] that age had a positive coefficient which suggested that as the age increased, the participation of women in agricultural production increased.…”

“…Farm size was positively and significantly related. This corresponded Enete and Amusa [8]; Omotesho, et al [12] that the access to farmland made women to contribute to decision making in household.…”

“…The result negated Enete and Amusa [8]; Abegunde [13]; Omotesho, et al [12] that years of farming was positive and significantly related with women's level of contribution to farming decision.…”

Hubungan Partisipasi Anggota Kelompok Wanita Tani dengan Tingkat Keberhasilan Pemberdayaan di Bidang Pertanian

“…Hasil penelitian di Nigeria menyebutkan tingkat partisipasi wanita tani dalam pembiayaan mikro usahatani dipengaruhi oleh besarnya iuran bulan dan peran ketua kelompok (Anyiro et al, 2014). Masalah keuangan, kurangnya rasa memiliki, waktu kegiatan yang tidak tepat dan diskriminasi sosial budaya merupakan faktor-faktor yang dapat menghambat partisipasi wanita tani dalam suatu kegiatan (Omotesho et al, 2019)…”

Adoption of Innovation through Joint Asset Acquisition: The Case of Women Rice Processor Groups in Nigeria

“…Several studies confirm the influence of socio-economic characteristics of individuals and some characteristics of groups on the participation of members in groups. Members' age, educational status, household size, marital status, income, farming experience, farm size, membership size, age of group are some of the variables that have been investigated as factors that could influence the participation of members in groups (Abegunde, 2009;Agbonlahor et al, 2012;Ofuoku, 2013;Omotesho et al, 2019).…”