TITLE:
Investigating the Challenges Faced by Women Rice Farmers in Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Ojinga Gideon Omiunu
KEYWORDS:
Nigeria Women Rice Farmers, Challenges of Women Rice Farmers
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.1 No.6,
September
29,
2014
ABSTRACT: The study investigated the major constraints faced by women rice farmers in Nigeria. The study employed a survey research design. One hundred women rice farmers were randomly selected and information were obtained with the aid of well-structured questionnaire. The frequency, percentage, t-test and regression analysis were used to analyze data obtained. The study revealed that, only 26% had negative productivity, 53% had positive productivity, few (31%) had a positive profit of above 100,000 Naira and others have a profit of between 1 - 100,000 Naira. Personal saving was the best source of finance or capital for women rice farmers. Lack of finance is one of the major challenges faced by women rice farmers. Other challenges include credit availability and accessibility, lack of mechanized/technological equipments, level of degradation, among others. Also, result showed that only government support as a source of finance was negatively significant and affected women rice farmers’ productivity negatively. The study recommended that, women rice farmers should endeavour to undergo various developmental programmes to develop themselves so as to increase their competitive advantage in their locality and also in the local and global agricultural sector. In addition, governments and other policy makers should strategize plans and programmes that would contribute to women rice farmers, agriculture, community and national development.