ABSTRACT
Women are responsible for half of the world’s food production. The study sought to assess the factors influencing women participation in arable crop farming in Ovia North east, Edo state, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socioeconomic characteristics, identify their level of participation, identify the pull and push factors and identify the constraints faced by women participating arable crop farming in the study area.
A two stage sampling procedure was employed to select 120 women in arable crop farming for the study. Data was collected using interview schedule, questionnaire and google form. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean and percentages and inferential statistics such as multiple regression and PPMC at 5% level of significance.
The study revealed that the respondents had a mean age of 45 years, 70.4% were married, a mean household size of 5 members, with mean of 27 years of farming experience of 27 years and average annual income of ₦374,514. Furthermore, respondents had maximum participation in planting (x̄ =4.22) and had minimum participation in pesticide application (x̄ = 1.48). The pull factors affecting women participation in farming were source of livelihood (x̄ = 3.74), Family business (x̄ = 3.44), producing raw material (x̄ = 3.02), demand for locally produced food (x̄ = 3.0185), for empowerment (x̄ = 3.67) and growing nutritious crop for oneself/family (x̄ = 4.04). While, push factor that affected women’s participation in arable crop farming was high level of hunger/ food insecurity (x̄ = 3.06). The prevalent constraints faced by the women participation in farming was insufficient finance/limited access to credit (x̄ =3.72). The study also reveals a significant relationship between push factor and level of participation (r= 0.235) which is significant at 5% level.
