FACTORS LEADING TO LOW PRODUCTIVITY AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

Abstract

Abstract Women in rural areas of less developed areas of Southern Africa are involved in many agricultural production activities especially the production of food. These areas are known to be characterised by low agricultural productivity. Research was conducted to determine factors which lead to low productivity among women farmers. The hypothesis put forward was that low productivity amongst this class of farmers could be due to problems they encounter in the production process. The research was undertaken in the rural areas of Lebowa. Five schemes not linked to a development agency were selected at random. The reason for excluding schemes attached to development agencies was to ensure that only farms on which management is solely by farmers themselves are included. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire survey. Major constraints towards increased production were identified as: shortage of land; inadequate irrigation water; lack of management abilities; limited control over factors of production; limited education; unavailability of credit and inefficient market outlets. The following measures are suggested in order to improve agricultural production:- increase in the number of land holdings with freehold ownership of land; provision of efficient market outlets; infrastructure, credit and irrigation water; and provision of better qualified extension workers to improve farmers' knowledge of farming.