Impact of insecurity on crop productivity of rural women in Northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

The study analysed the impact of insecurity on crop productivity of rural women in Northeastern Nigeria Purposive, multistage and random sampling methods were employed for the selection of 403 respondents in the study area. Data were collected from cross-sectional survey with the aid of well-structured questionnaires along with interviews. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The results revealed that a larger proportion (48.39%) of the women fell between 31 and 40 years, married (54.09%) with household size of 1-10 persons (45.16%). Also, 31.51% of respondents had an annual income of 110,000-200,000 naira. 52.00% had attained school ranging from primary to university level, 36.48% had the farming experience of 6-10. Further, the SEM showed that 1% increase in an attack by kidnapping, farmer-harder conflict and Boko haram led to a decrease in productivity by 89.00% 76.00% and 64.00%, respectively. Conclusively, the findings revealed that the productivity of rural women was significantly affected by insecurity in the study area. This study therefore, recommends that the government should provide up-to-date surveillance equipment, and appropriate training to ensure that security personnel are well-equipped to safeguard women farmers in the study area. This will require concerted efforts from government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), community leaders, and other stakeholders to create conducive environment for sustainable agricultural productivity