Determinants of Rural Women Attitude towards Participating in Farmers Local Organizations: Challenges and Prospects in South-South, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined rural women's attitude towards participating in farmers' local organizations along with its challenges and prospects in South-South States, Nigeria. The sample size of 295 respondents was drawn using the multi-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the objectives of the study while inferential statistics (Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient and Binomial test statistics). Results showed that the average age, household size, farm experience, farm size and years of membership in the social group were 39.76 years, about 6 persons, 6.71 years, 2.48 ha and 6.07 years. Statements like participation in the group have enhanced my farm output (56.61%) and participation in the group has improved my income (56.61%) were statements that showed favourable attitudes of the farmers which have improved the livelihood status of the respondents. Prevalence of corruption and dishonesty of leaders (mean = 4.13), membership poor response to loan repayment (mean = 4.08) and lack of government assistance (mean = 4.08) were some of the challenges limiting the farmers from participating in FLOs. Factors such as respondents age (r = 0.398; p = 0.000), level of formal education (r = -0.217; p = -0.002), household size (r = 0.443; p = 0.001) and membership of FLOs (r = 0.362; p = 0.000) were significant to rural women farmers attitude on participating in farmers local organizations. Based on the results, the study recommended that there is a need for the leaders of the FLOs to be up and doing and try to keep clean and transparent practices that can help to instil confidence amongst the people so that they can be encouraged to improve in their level of participation.