ATTENTION:
BEFORE YOU READ THE ABSTRACT OR CHAPTER ONE OF THE PROJECT TOPICS BELOW, PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW.THANK YOU!
INFORMATION:
YOU CAN GET THE COMPLETE PROJECT OF THE TOPIC BELOW. THE FULL PROJECT COST N5,000 ONLY. THE FULL INFORMATION ON HOW TO PAY AND GET THE COMPLETE PROJECT IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE. OR
YOU CAN CALL: 08068231953, 08168759420
WHATSAPP US ON: 08168759420
WOMEN LABOUR UTILIZATION IN CROP PRODUCTION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title Page – – – – – – – – – i
Certification – – – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgement – – – – – – – – iv
Table of contents – – – – – – – – v
List of tables – – – – – – – – – viii
List of figures – – – – – – – – – ix
Abstract – – – – – – – – x
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Information – – – – – 1
1.2 Statement of Problem – – – – – – – 3
1.3 Objectives of the Study – – – – – – 5
1.4 Research Hypotheses – – – – – – 5
1.5 Justifications for the Study: – – — – – 6
1.6 Limitation of the Study – – – – – – – 7
1.7 Plan of the Report – – – – – – – 7
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1 Introduction – – – – — – – 9
2.2 The Role of Women in Agriculture – – – – 9
2.2.1 Role of Women in Rural Development – – 12
2.2.2 Role of Women in Food Crop Production – – – 16
2.2.3 Women in Forestry/Environment – – – – 19
2.2.4 Women in Livestock Production – – – – 19
2.2.5 Women in Post harvest Activities – – – – 20
2.3 Labour as a Factor of Agricultural Production – 21
2.4 Sources of Agricultural Labour – – – – 22
2.4.1 Family Labour – – – — – – – – 23
2.4.2 Hired or Wage Labour – – – – – 23
2.4.3 Communal Labour – – – – – – 24
2.5 Women as Sources of Agricultural Labour – – – 25
2.6 Factors Affecting Agricultural Labour – – – 29
2.7 Factors Affecting Agricultural Production and their Implications for Women Farmers – – – – – – 31
2.8 Constraints to Women Agricultural Production Efforts – 32
2.8.1 Land Tenure System – – – – – 33
2.8.2 Lack of Improved Technology – – – – 34
2.8.3 Lack of Credit – – – – – – – 35
2.8.4 Lack of Time – – – – – – – 36
2.8.5 Lack of Extension Services – – – – – 36
2.9 Strategies Towards Enhancing the Performance of Women Farmers in Crop Production – – 37
2.10 Theoretical; Framework – – 42
2.10.1 The Concept of Participation in Agricultural Development Programmes – 42
2.10.2 Participatory Models – – – – – 43
2.10.2.1 The Transfer of Technology Model (TOT) – – – 43
2.10.2.2 Ministry/Conventional General Extension (Colonial Model) 44
2.10.2.3 The Participatory Development Models – – 45
2.11 Analytical Framework – – – – 46
2.11.1 Multiple Regression Analysis – – – – 47
2.11.2 Multinomial Logit Models – – – – 48
2.11.3 The t-test – – – – – – 50
2.11.4 Likert Rating Scale Technique – – – – 50
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 The Study Area – – – – – – 51
3.2 Sampling Procedure – – – – – 51
3.3 Data Collection – – – – – – 52
3.4 Data Analysis – – – – – 53
3.5 Model Specification – – – – – – 53
3.5.1 Student t-test – – – – – – 53
3.5.2 Multinomial logit model – – – – – 53
3.5.3 Multiple Regression – – — – – – 57
3.5.4 Likert Scale Rating Technique – – – – 58
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Socio – economic Characteristics of Women Respondents – 59
4.1.1 Age of Women Respondent – – – – – 59
Marital Status of Women Respondents – – –
Primary and Secondary Occupations of Respondents 60
Educational Attainment of Women Respondents – 61
Farming experience of Women Farmers – – 62
Farm Size – – – – – 62
Distance of Farm from Home – – – – 63
Annual Income of the Women Respondents – – 63
Household Size – – – – 6459
Specific Crop Production Operations that Utilize Women Labour in the Study Area – – – 65
4.3 Men and Women Labour at Different Levels of Crop Production Operations in the Study Area – – – – 66
4.4 Factors Affecting Women Participation in Farm Operations – 68
4.4.1 Socio-economic Characteristics Affecting the Labour Utilization of Women in Different Farm Operations – – – 68
4.5 Effects of Women Labour Utilization on Farmers’ Total Output/Revenue – 70
4.6 Farm Constraints – – – – – – 73
4.7 Reasons why previous intervention measure did not achieve much success – 75
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary — – – – – – 78
Conclusion – – – – – – – 79
Recommendations – – – – 80
Contribution to Knowledge – – – 82
Suggestion for Further Research – – – 82
References – – – – – – – 83
Appendix – Questionnaire – – – – – – 94
LIST OF TABLES
Table
2.1 Percentage of total labour in hours between men and women in Africa – – – – 19
2.2 Percentage contribution of African women to family Livelihood 27
2.3 Gender daily hourly contribution on Agricultural and Non Agricultural Activity – – – – – 28
4.1 The frequency distribution of women farmers by age – 59
4.2 The frequency distribution of respondents according to marital status – 60
4.3 The frequency distribution of respondent according to status in farming 60
4.4 The frequency distribution of respondents according to secondary occupation = – – – – 61
4.5: The frequency distribution of respondents according to formal education attained – – – 61
4.6 The frequency distribution of respondents according to years of farming experience – – – – – 62
4.7 The frequency distribution of respondents according to farm size 63
4.8 The frequency distribution of respondents according to farm distance – 63
4.9 The frequency distribution of respondents according to annual income – 63
4.10 The frequency distribution of respondents according to proportion of income derived from crop production – – – 64
4.11 Percentage distribution of respondents according to household size 65
4.12 Percentage distribution of crop production operations and labour use 65
4.13 The mean values of hours spent by men and women respondents in different levels of crop production – – – 66
4.14 Result of Multinomial Logit Model Analysis of Women Participation in Different Crop Farm Operation – – – 68
4.15 Estimates of the determinants of output for women labour utilization 71
4.16 Distribution of respondents according to farm constraints identified 74
4.17 Distribution of respondents according to participation in extension and rural development programmes – – – 76
4.18 Reasons why previous strategy did not work – – – 77
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: The dualistic nature of women’s role in the economy in general and agriculture and food security in particular – – 14
Figure 2: Transfer of Technology Model (TOT) – – – 44
Figure 3: Participatory Development Model – — – – 46
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.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Nigeria at the moment is witnessing an upward trend in the price of foodstuffs partly due to the inability of production to keep pace with increase in demand. Demand itself increases largely as a result of increase in population. The resulting effect of this imbalance between demand for and supply of food is malnutrition, poverty and deteriorating living conditions (Nnadozie and Ibe, 2000). This is mainly because agriculture is being neglected and, sometimes, down played in development strategies.
Agriculture is one of the main pillars of the Nigerian economy because it plays many roles. It is a major source of food to the population, it provides employment for over 70 to 80 percent of the population and it is the only thriving economic activity in rural areas. It contributes foreign exchange as well as a source of industrial raw materials for the nation’s industries (Amanze, 2000).
However, with the oil boom in the seventies, there was a sharp decline in agricultural production as people’s attention was diverted from agriculture to the oil sector of the economy. The “oil boom” also rendered many indigenous land owners landless and, in some cases, a reduction in the hectare farmed. There was rural-urban movement because of lack of social amenities in the rural areas. Many able bodied men moved to the urban centres in search of white-collar jobs because of the income disparity and availability of amenities in the urban areas. Women and their children were left behind to carry on agricultural production activities which resulted in many household economic activities championed by women. This situation placed on them the responsibility of taking decisions on issues on the farm (Lily, Feidman and Shert., 2001).
Attempts to restore agriculture to its former glory, national efforts to boost the production of food and cash crops have been made through a number of agricultural programmes like National Accelerated Food Production Programme (NAFPP), Operation Feed the Nation (OFN), Green Revolution Programmes, Go Back to Land, Directorate for Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI) etc. Despite these efforts the problem of food shortage continues. Food production strategies so far tried, appeared to have achieved limited success. One of the remote causes of the apparent failure was inability to develop and utilize the nation’s manpower resources effectively and efficiently especially in the rural sector (Okunade, 1998).
The involvement of women in agriculture has attracted greater attention in recent years because women play very significant roles in Nigeria’s agricultural production, processing and utilization (Nnadozie and Ibe, 2000). Millions of women work as farmers, farm workers and resources managers (Olayide et al, 1990). In doing so, they contribute to national agricultural output, maintenance of environment and family food security (Brown et al., 2001). They dominate in almost all phases of food production such as production of food crops like maize, cassava, vegetables and yam. They have also undertaken the rearing of small farm animals and execution of certain intricate farm operations (Oluwesola 1998). Not only do women play significant roles in food production, they are now also mastering those aspects of agriculture that used to belong exclusively to men. For instance, women help with the strenuous jobs of cutting trees and clearing bushes (Onyibe, 2001). Nnoyelu and Gadzane (1991), revealed that women were found working all the year round producing food crops while men performed only pre-planting tasks that occupy small parts of the agricultural year.
While men specialized in certain tasks like clearing bush or forest, cultivation, felling or pruning trees, ploughing or tiling the land, women, have been estimated to do 70 percent of hoeing and weeding, 60 percent of harvesting, 80 percent of transporting crops home and 90 percent of food processing (Steady, 2001). As men’s participation in agriculture declines, the role of women in agricultural production increases. In Mozambique, for example, for every 100 men working in agriculture there are now 153 women (Saito, 1994).
Though traditionally, women do not have land of their own, they do their farming on family plots and in any available piece of land no matter how small. Women contribute in areas of food preparation, processing and marketing. The involvement of women in agricultural food production has no limits. Through increased participation in agriculture, women have influenced family decisions on what to produce, how to produce, the sale of small food surpluses to meet their needs and labour-supply. Therefore, their involvement in agriculture is without doubt (Oluwasola, 1998).
It is obvious that women are very active in food production. More emphatically, women are the backbone of African agriculture and Nigeria in particular. In the olden days, when agriculture was almost the only available profession, men used to marry as many wives as possible to assist in farm work. Throughout the world, women constitute a greater part of the work force especially in the rural areas (Ufiem 2000).
Women are, to a large extent the backbone of Africa rural economics (Adetenwa, 1998) and they play specific roles in the production and processing of food. Having seen that women’s effort cannot be neglected, the World Bank funded two consultancies in Nigeria to determine the extent of the participation of women in agriculture and recommend strategies for concretizing their findings in the form of project activities in 1986 (Nonyelu, 1996).
FAOs (1995) report estimates showed that women contributed over 50 percent of the labour force in 56 countries out of 82 developing countries in the world. These figures show the importance of women in the agricultural development process. Furthermore, Mickewait (1999) observed that most African women are significantly engaged in subsistence agriculture; emphasizing Olayide’s (1993) classification of them as the backbones or pillars of small peasant farmers in Nigeria.
HOW TO RECEIVE PROJECT MATERICAL(S)
After paying the appropriate amount (#5,000) into our bank Account below, send the following information to
08068231953 or 08168759420
(1) Your project topics
(2) Email Address
(3) Payment Name
(4) Teller Number
We will send your material(s) after we receive bank alert
BANK ACCOUNTS
Account Name: AMUTAH DANIEL CHUKWUDI
Account Number: 0046579864
Bank: GTBank.
OR
Account Name: AMUTAH DANIEL CHUKWUDI
Account Number: 3139283609
Bank: FIRST BANK
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL:
08068231953 or 08168759420