The role of women in agricultural production in Nigeria can never be underestimated; women play prime role in traditional farming from manual farm activities, agro-processing and homemaking. This study therefore analyzed the participation in ASTC activities among women farmers in Jos-south Local Government Area of Plateau state, Nigeria. Multi stage sampling techniques was adopted for this study. Primary data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, weighted average index analysis and Binary Logit regression. The broad objective of the study was to analyze the participation in agricultural services and training center (ASTC) activities among women in Jos-South Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Women constitute more or less half of any country’s population in most countries. However, women contribute much less than men towards the value of recorded activities both quantitatively in labour force participation and qualitatively in education achievement and skilled manpower. Lawanson (2008) pointed out that, the under-utilization of female in agriculture has obvious implications for economic welfare and growth. Women are regarded as home makers, who oversee and coordinate the affairs and activities at home while the men go out to the farm to work. But at home, however, they engage in the processing of food crops and other produce in addition to their housekeeping duties. In traditional communities, women like their male counterparts, hold farm lands and assist their husbands in their farming activities, as well as actively participate in non-agricultural activities such as craft and dyeing, weaving and spinning, food processing, retail trade, etc. Lawanson (2008) shed more light on the role of Nigerian women in agriculture. As in other parts of Africa, Nigerian women have worked side by side with men in agriculture with some marked division of labour between them. The men performed the tasks of felling trees, gathering and burning of bush and making ridges while women were involved in planting of seeds particularly food crops, harvesting, transportation, processing and selling of farm products. In Nigeria, there are significant regional differences in women participation in agricultural activities; for instance; a study of women in the country revealed that on an overall basis, 40% of the rural women surveyed regarded farming as their major occupation.
Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1.4 Justification of the Study
1.5 Hypothesis of the Study
1.6 Scope of the Study
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Women Participation in Economic Activities
2.2 Theoretical framework
2.3 Global Account of Women Participation in Agriculture and Agricultural Practices
2.4 An Overview of Agricultural Services and Training Centers (ASTCs) Activities
2.5 Empirical Studies on factors affecting Accessibility and Utilization of Agricultural Services
2.6 Gender analysis in agricultural production
2.7 Women's Contribution to Agricultural Production and Unequal Benefits
2.8 Gender Roles in Agricultural Production
2.9 Empirical Studies of Socio-economic Characteristics of Project Beneficiaries
2.10 Diffusion and Adoption of Innovation Theory
2.11 Conceptual Framework
2.12 Conceptual Model
2.13 Level of Awareness of Agricultural Innovations
2.14 Level of Farmers Participation in Agricultural Programmes
2.15 Factors Influencing Participation in Agricultural Programmes
2.16 Empirical studies on Impact Assessment of Agricultural Extension Programmes/Projects
3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Study Area
3.2 Sampling Technique
3.3 Methods of Data Collection
3.4 Analytical techniques
3.5 Model specification
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Socioeconomic Characteristics of the Respondents
4.2 Types of ASTC Activities Available to the Respondents
4.3 Benefits of Participation in ASTC Activities
4.4 Determinants of Participation in ASTC Activities
4.5 Constraints of Participation in ASTC Activities
5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
The research aims to analyze the participation of women in Agricultural Services and Training Center (ASTC) activities in the Jos-South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria, evaluating how socioeconomic factors influence their involvement and identifying key constraints to their productivity.
- Socioeconomic profiling of participating women farmers
- Identification of ASTC services utilized by the farmers
- Evaluation of the benefits derived from participation in ASTC activities
- Assessment of key constraints limiting participation
Excerpt from the Book
2.4 An Overview of Agricultural Services and Training Centers (ASTCs) Activities
Agriculture Services & Training Center (ASTC) is a unique concept developed by Green-2000 Limited for supporting small-scale farmers and improving their productivity. The ASTC renders mechanized services including tillage, planting, spraying, cultivation and weeding, and harvesting for farmers in the area. Other services provided to its members training, technical support and services which lead to remarkable improvements in the agricultural profitability and development. The company’s effort towards agricultural service provision was successful in Israel, India, USA, and some parts of Africa.
Other ASTC sub-stations outside the Plateau can be found in Saminaka, Jere, Gurara, Samaru to mention but few. In plateau state, its target were productions of wide range of products like tomatoes, peppers, egg plants, cucumber, melons, lettuce and cabbage. The greenhouses and the open fields are also equipped with modern techniques, amongst others for irrigation. This vision was to make plateau state a self-sustaining agricultural state with increased farmers’ productivity, income and to attain a self–sufficient food producing state via sophisticated agricultural practices. The mission was to apply modern and scientific method of management and production, training and marketing as well as taking services nearer to the farmers at the grass root level (district and villages) (ASTC bulletin, 2012).
Summary of Chapters
1.0 INTRODUCTION: Discusses the significant, yet often overlooked, role of women in Nigerian agriculture and the necessity of initiatives like ASTC to enhance their productivity.
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW: Examines global and local perspectives on women's participation in various agricultural sectors, theoretical frameworks for empowerment, and empirical studies on factors influencing adoption.
3.0 METHODOLOGY: Outlines the research design, specifically the multi-stage sampling in Jos-South LGA, and the analytical tools like Binary Logit regression and Weighted Average Index used to interpret data.
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Presents findings on the socioeconomic characteristics of respondents and evaluates the benefits and constraints associated with their participation in ASTC activities.
5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Synthesizes the study's findings, confirms that participation remains low despite existing benefits, and provides policy recommendations for improved access to credit and training.
Keywords
Women farmers, ASTC activities, agricultural production, socioeconomic factors, participation, extension services, small-scale farming, Nigeria, Jos-South, technology adoption, farm income, agricultural extension, gender roles, rural development, food security.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this study?
The study focuses on analyzing the participation of women farmers in Agricultural Services and Training Center (ASTC) activities within the Jos-South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria.
What are the main thematic areas covered?
The study covers the socioeconomic characteristics of participants, types of available ASTC services, benefits of these services, factors influencing participation, and the constraints limiting women's involvement.
What is the overarching research goal?
The primary goal is to evaluate the impact of ASTC interventions on women farmers and identify the determinants of their participation to suggest improvements for future agricultural programs.
Which research methodology was employed?
The researcher used multi-stage sampling to select 80 respondents and analyzed data using descriptive statistics, the Weighted Average Index (WAI), and Binary Logit regression.
What does the main body address?
The main body investigates the socioeconomic context of the farmers, reviews relevant global and local agricultural literature, and details the specific ASTC activities and their measured impacts.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The study is characterized by terms such as women in agriculture, ASTC, participation, extension services, rural development, and socioeconomic determinants of technology adoption.
How does household size influence participation?
The study found that larger household sizes positively influence participation because families provide the necessary labor supply for farming activities, reducing reliance on expensive hired help.
What are the critical constraints identified for women farmers?
The primary constraints are poor access to credit, inadequate capital, insufficient input supply, and the high cost associated with utilizing ASTC services.
- Citar trabajo
- Godfrey Onuwa (Autor), 2021, Women in Agricultural Production in Nigeria. Participation in Agricultural Services and Training Center (ASTC) Activities, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1183696
