Access and Use of Agricultural Extension Information and Services by Rural Women in Cameroon

Abstract

This study examines the role of rural women in arable small-scale sustainable agricultural production in a developing country setting. Specifically, the study addresses rural women’s level of accessibility and use of agricultural production resources in the North West Region of Cameroon.  The objectives are to determine the extent to which rural women obtain and use agricultural extension information and/or services; and to assess the relationship between rural women’s access to and their use of agricultural extension information and /or services. The study relies on a one-shot case study design. Data collection consisted of surveying a randomly selected sample of 1,120 rural women involved in small-scale agricultural production. The data was analyzed using univariate descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and one-way analysis of variance.  Results show that a majority of the rural women do not have access to and hence do not use agricultural extension information and/or services. There is a strong positive correlation between access to and use of agricultural extension information and/or services. Consideration in formulating and adopting agricultural policies that include rural women in decision-making, implementation, and evaluation of agricultural inputs and yields have been proposed for developing countries involved in subsistence agriculture.