PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN FARMERS IN CASSAVA FARMING AND EXTENSION SERVICES IN OVIA NORTH- EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA
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Abstract
Women play a crucial role in agriculture in Nigeria, contributing significantly to food production and the economy, which is often undervalued. The main objective of this study is to assess the participation of women farmers in cassava farming and extension services, The specific objectives include;
1. To describe the socioeconomic characteristics of women cassava farmers. 2. To identify the farming activities performed by women cassava farmers. 3. To identify the respondent's awareness and access to extension services. 4. To analyse the perception of the benefits of extension services on farming activities. 5. To identify the challenges faced by women cassava farmers. A multistage sampling was carried out with a random selection of female farmers from four communities in the Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo state, Nigeria. Data were analysed using frequency, mean, median, mode, standard deviation, percentage and tables, and the hypothesis was tested using multiple regression. Results showed that the greater proportion 35.8% of female farmers were within 40- 49 years old, 75.8% were married, 85.8% are literate, 42.5% of persons had a household size of 2-4, 58.3% of persons primary occupation was farming, 62.5% of persons participated in cassava production, 54.2% persons had a farming experience of 1-5 years, 45.8% persons had a farm size of less than one hectare, 35.8% of persons had an annual income of 200,000-500,000 naira, 90.8 % of persons used farm labour, 52.5% persons never had contact with an extension agent and 58% of farmers used family labour. Farmers participated in Land clearing ( �ത = 3.72), Planting (�ത = 3.53), Weeding (�ത = 3.99), Harvesting (�ത = 3.98), Processing (�ത = 3.75), Transportation (Mean=3.55), Processing to garri (�ത = 3.48) and Storage (�ത = 3.57). Majority of farmers were aware and had access to profitable market (�ത = 3.46), loans, farm credit and other financial aids (�ത = 3.50) and ownership of land for farm use ( �ത = 3.08). The farmers found the following services beneficial, access to profitable market (�ത = 3.26), access to loans and financial aid (�ത = 3.11), access to information on government policies (�ത = 3.88) and access to ownership of land for farm use (�ത = 3.71). The farmers faced the following challenges mobility restrictions and transportation difficulties (�ത = 3.86), high cost of input and storage facilities (�ത = 3.18), insufficient finance (�ത = 3.33), inadequate infrastructure (�ത = 3.68), expensive and inadequate farm labour (Mean=3.98), insecurity (�ത = 3.55) and pest and disease attack ( �ത = 3.97). I recommend that targeted extension programs should be developed, that address the specific needs and challenges faced by women farmers, including training on modern agricultural techniques and financial literacy
1. To describe the socioeconomic characteristics of women cassava farmers. 2. To identify the farming activities performed by women cassava farmers. 3. To identify the respondent's awareness and access to extension services. 4. To analyse the perception of the benefits of extension services on farming activities. 5. To identify the challenges faced by women cassava farmers. A multistage sampling was carried out with a random selection of female farmers from four communities in the Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo state, Nigeria. Data were analysed using frequency, mean, median, mode, standard deviation, percentage and tables, and the hypothesis was tested using multiple regression. Results showed that the greater proportion 35.8% of female farmers were within 40- 49 years old, 75.8% were married, 85.8% are literate, 42.5% of persons had a household size of 2-4, 58.3% of persons primary occupation was farming, 62.5% of persons participated in cassava production, 54.2% persons had a farming experience of 1-5 years, 45.8% persons had a farm size of less than one hectare, 35.8% of persons had an annual income of 200,000-500,000 naira, 90.8 % of persons used farm labour, 52.5% persons never had contact with an extension agent and 58% of farmers used family labour. Farmers participated in Land clearing ( �ത = 3.72), Planting (�ത = 3.53), Weeding (�ത = 3.99), Harvesting (�ത = 3.98), Processing (�ത = 3.75), Transportation (Mean=3.55), Processing to garri (�ത = 3.48) and Storage (�ത = 3.57). Majority of farmers were aware and had access to profitable market (�ത = 3.46), loans, farm credit and other financial aids (�ത = 3.50) and ownership of land for farm use ( �ത = 3.08). The farmers found the following services beneficial, access to profitable market (�ത = 3.26), access to loans and financial aid (�ത = 3.11), access to information on government policies (�ത = 3.88) and access to ownership of land for farm use (�ത = 3.71). The farmers faced the following challenges mobility restrictions and transportation difficulties (�ത = 3.86), high cost of input and storage facilities (�ത = 3.18), insufficient finance (�ത = 3.33), inadequate infrastructure (�ത = 3.68), expensive and inadequate farm labour (Mean=3.98), insecurity (�ത = 3.55) and pest and disease attack ( �ത = 3.97). I recommend that targeted extension programs should be developed, that address the specific needs and challenges faced by women farmers, including training on modern agricultural techniques and financial literacy
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