Assessment of the sustainability of agricultural livelihood activities among rural women in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Women play important role in the agricultural sector of the economy. They engage in different agricultural livelihood activities so as to sustain the economic life and wellbeing of their households. Issues affecting the sustainability of their livelihood activities should therefore be given the necessary concern. The study assessed sustainability of agricultural livelihood activities among rural women in Kwara State. The data for this study were collected through a two-stage sampling technique from 369 rural women using structured questionnaire. The analytical tools used were descriptive statistics, 5- point Likert - type scale and sustainability index. The study reveals that the agricultural livelihood activities of the majority (75%) of the rural women were economically unsustainable. The perceived constraints to economic sustainability of agricultural activities identified were cattle invasion, unavailability of credit facilities, inadequate input, inadequate transportation facilities and high cost of labour. The study concluded that agricultural livelihood activities among rural women are not economically sustainable. It is therefore recommended that measures including improved technology and provision of credit facilities are required to ensure economic sustainability of agricultural livelihood activities.