SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECTING WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE IN KWARA-NORTH, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This research was conducted to examine the socio-economic factors influencing women participation in agricultural cooperative societies in Kwara-North, Kwarw State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select a sample size of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents through the use of a well structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed utilizing descriptive and inferential statistics. Majority (83.3%) of the women farmers are in their economical, productive and active age, married and possessed formal education with an average household size of 5 persons. Majority of the farmers acquired their capital through personal savings. This study also showed that males involved are more than females in agriculture, the males involvement is higher in agriculture compared to women counterparts. The regressed significance variables includes age, education level, household size, farming experience, cooperatives' membership, access to credit, use of agro-chemicals, and labour were the factors influencing women participation in agriculture. Participation in agriculture by women cooperative farmers were delimited or constrained by cultural beliefs,  limited capital, lack of extension services, high cost of inputs, Insecurity and banditry among others. This study recommended that governments and development partners should intensify efforts toward women empowerment programs that specifically target agriculture. Governments should encourage and assist women farmers by giving them special attention in terms of access to needed farm inputs and incentives. Governments should provide credit facilities either through various women groups or cooperative societies to enable them participate fully in agriculture. More female extension workers should be trained to assist women farmers.