Analysis of the Constraints Faced by Rural Women Farmers in Vegetable Production in South-East Nigeria

Abstract

Globally, vegetable forms a most valuable part of every household's diet and are used to increase the quality of the soup. It has also become the most important crop grown by farmers in recent time. However, vegetable farming is not without production challenges. Regrettably, there is an acute shortage of empirical studies to substantiate this claim. It was against this backdrop that the study on analysis of the constraints faced by rural women farmers in vegetable production in south-east Nigeria was undertaken. Specifically, the study was guided by the following objectives; describing the type and level of constraints women face in vegetable farming; determining the perceived effects of such constraints on all round vegetable farming and describing the solution women vegetable farmers practice in reducing the constraint they face in all round vegetable. The hypothesis of the study was that the socio-economic characteristics of women do not significantly influence their level of constraint in all round vegetable farming in the area. A multistage random sampling method was used in the selection of respondents. Sample size comprised one-hundred and thirty-five (135) vegetable women farmers. Well structured questionnaire was the main tool for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools, likert –scale rating and multiple regression analysis. Regrettably, most of the women farmers identified and perceived poor access to road and control of farm resources, e.g farmland ( =3.68), insufficient education ( =3.11), lack of credit ( =3.50) and poor institutional support ( =3.59) amongst others as the serious challenge they face in all round vegetable farming in the area. Additionally, the women farmers perceived and reported that the constraints they face has led to shortage of farm labour ( =3.63) and is disrupting planting and harvesting season of their all round vegetable production ( =3.56) amongst others. Diversification of agribusiness (99.26%) is one of the solutions they practice in reducing the constraint they face in all round vegetable. Estimated multiple regressions showed that the socio-economic characteristic of women farmers influences their level of constraint in all round vegetable farmingand is significant at 1% level of probability. It was therefore recommended that the government should subsidize the price of farm inputs in order to make them accessible and affordable to women farmers. In the same vein, better access of women to farmland and agricultural extension services is very essential in promoting not just vegetable production but more women driving the production.