WOMEN LABOUR UTILIZATION IN CROP PRODUCTION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT
The main aim of the study was to analyze women labour utilization in crop production in
Abia State. The specific objectives included (i) identify specific farming operations that
utilize women labour in the study area; (ii) compare the relative contribution of women and
men to total labour utilization in different levels of farm operation in the study area; (iii)
identify factors that affect the participation of women in different levels of farm operations;
(iv) determine the effect of women labour utilization on the value of farm output ; and (v)
identify and analyze the constraints facing women farmers in crop production in the study
area. Using multi-stage sampling technique, the study area was zoned into three using the
existing zoning arrangement of the Abia State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP).
Nine (9) rural Local Government Areas (LGA) were randomly selected from the Zones. From
the LGAs, 18 communities were randomly selected and from the communities, 36 villages
were randomly selected. From these villages, 108 households having women farmers were
randomly selected. A set of structured questionnaire was administered on the relevant women
and men farmers in the household to obtain required information. Data were analyzed using
descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, t-test, likert rating scale and multinomial
logit model.

Results showed that among twelve crop production operations identified in 2010
farming season, greater proportion of all the operations were executed by the women farmers
e.g. harvesting 70%, planting 63%, weeding 60% and transplanting 58%. The men and hired
labour were used for tedious operations like ridging and bush clearing. The multinomial logit
result showed that the participation of women belonging to large families were less in
clearing and cultivation. Their level of income had a negative relationship with clearing. The
multiple regression analysis showed that greater number of variables like age, farm
experience and household size were significant and have positive effect on output at 5 %
level of significance. The multiple regression analysis showed that the value of Coefficient of
determination otherwise known as R-square (R2) was 0.67. Despite the high level of
participation of women farmers in crop production, they still face unique constraints which
adversely affected their ability to increase food production. The identified problems included
lack of finance, lack of improved inputs, lack of storage facilities among others. Poor
implementation of agricultural projects and policies, lack of government commitment and
intervention programmes not directed to the farmers needs were the major reasons why
previous intervention measures did not achieve much success. The study therefore
recommended that adequate finance should be provided by government to support women
labour requirements. Government should ensure implementation of agricultural programmes
by monitoring and evaluating them from the beginning to the end by independent consultants.
The problem of illiteracy among rural women can be overcome if extension
services extend their training to the rural women.

WOMEN LABOUR UTILIZATION IN CROP PRODUCTION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

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