EVALUATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN FARMERS IN KANAM AND WASE AREAS OF PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

Increasing attention is being accorded the potential role of women farmers in Plateau State due to their significance in sustainable agricultural development. However, production impediments have often diminished the hope to fully utilise such potentials for the benefit of humanity. A study was conducted in Kanam and Wase L.G.As to examine production characteristics of women farmers in the study areas. 200 women farmers were selected from 8 wards by simple random sampling technique. However, 198 responses were available for analysis Descriptive statistics – frequency and corresponding percentages is used for analysis. The result of the study revealed that greater number of the women range between ages of 30-39 years. (52.%) Married women were majority (72.22%), primary school leavers were majority (40.40%) majority of them operate on their husband’s farm (68.18%) major source of finance is personal savings (83.33%) major farm enterprise are cattle, sheep, goat, crops (100%). Major source of labour is family labour (50.51%) common size of farm holding is less than 2 hectares (65.66%) constraints identified includes: Non Accessibility to land ownership (98.48%)Iinadequate access to reliable source of loanable funds (89.%) Non availability of village level technology (100%). The conclusion is that their production level is characterized by small holder agriculture with associated impediments. In view of the importance attached to role of women in agriculture, significant effort is required through effective extension services to alleviate the burden of the women.