Abstract
The study was carried out to assess women’s participation in non-farm activities and its effects on their household income in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Data were collected with the use of a well-structured questionnaire containing open and close end questions which were administered among the rural women farmers in the study area. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 96 respondents. The data collection was analyzed using descriptive (frequency tables and percentage) statistics. The study revealed that most of the respondents were married with a total of 64.2% having a household mean of 2.3, mostly Christians with a total of 46.3% having a mean of1.74 mostly adults between the ages of 41-50 years with a total of 41.6% having a mean of 47, mostly learned with a total of 55.4% having a mean of 3.62, mostly large farm owners with a total of 7-9 acres having a mean of 5.61. Results showed that most of the respondents who engaged in non-farm activities have higher household income compared to those who do not (X=3.54 and X=3.34). It is therefore recommended that the government and private organizations involved in farming should make adequate capital available to poor farmers by granting loan and also introduce relevant training programs and introduction of high yielding technologies.
Highlights
In face of low agricultural productivity and high poverty levels in rural households, agriculture alone cannot cater sufficiently for livelihood opportunities
Rural non-farm employment (RNFE) is widely associated with poverty reduction, risk reduction, higher income and reduced pressure on natural resources Janvry and Sadoule, 2010 [7]
Findings according show that 41.6% of the respondents fell within the age range 41-50 years, 25.0% fell within 31-40years, 25.0% fell within 51-60 years, 4.2% of them were within the age range above 70 years. 4.2% were lesser than 30 years with the total mean age of 47years. In applying this classification to the findings of this study where 41.6% with the age range of 41-50 years happens to be the majority, it becomes clear that the respondents are of the middle age range and are still physically fit to engage in both farm and non-farm activities
Summary
In face of low agricultural productivity and high poverty levels in rural households, agriculture alone cannot cater sufficiently for livelihood opportunities. Studies were conducted regarding the economic contribution rural women made to community development that involves their participation in different forms of economic activities for their family and societal development. Such economic activities involve Agriculture, Trade transaction, food processing, hairdressing and weaving, Sewing and Knitting, and handcraft and creative art. Over 50% of women in Nigeria live in a rural community where they draw their livelihood and highly struggle for surviving. They engage in peasant farming and house gardening as their major occupation Barret et al, 2015 [3].
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