Determinants of Women’s Participation in Agricultural Activities in Lafia Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analysed the determinants of women’s participation in agriculture in Nasarawa State, Nigeria; with a particular emphasies on how socio-economic factors determines women's participation and agricultural productivity. To this end, a study was conducted in Lafia metropolis with a random sample of 210 women to examine the status of women’s participation in agriculture. Data analysed was collected by administering a structured questionnaire to women in the study area. Descriptive statistics and a logit regression model were employed to analyse the data. The findings from the analysis revealed that the main determinants of women's participation in agriculture are the size of the farmland and women's cooperative participation. On the other hand, Age, level of education, accessibility to credit, and household size were insignificant in determining women’s participation in agriculture in Lafia Metropolis. The study recommended that Government should as a matter of urgency formulate favourable policies that would increase women access to farmland, eliminate poor land tenure system, encourage women participation in cooperative groups and small farm forums and encourage girlchild and women education necessary to increase women knowledge and empowernment which would inturn increase agricultural participation and productivity.