Socio-economic Evaluation of Women Homestead Farmers in Zuru Emirate, Kebbi State, Nigeria

Ango Adamu Kamba,Tambari Ismaila Waziri,Ebenihi Ojomugbokenyode,Ahmad Nabila

doi:10.11648/j.ijaas.20210702.12

Abstract

Homestead farming system is a well-established land use systems where different crops, including trees, are grown in combination with livestock. For most people, the main aspects of homestead farming include owning a land and the buildings on it, and doing small-scale farming with the goal of being self-sufficient in food supply and an act of reducing poverty. This study evaluated the socio-economic characteristics of the homestead farmers in Zuru Emirate, Kebbi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to arrive at the sample size of 120 women homestead farmers in the study area. Data for the study were collected through the use of structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data obtained. Findings of the study revealed that the homestead farmers had a mean age of 38 years, with majority (74.2%) of them being married and with appreciable farming experience. More than half (57.9%) of the women homestead farmers were into crop gardening as primary occupation; selling of agricultural products as secondary occupation (53.3%) with 6-10 family members in the household (62.5%). The study also revealed a significant relationship between the extent of engagement in homestead farming and the secondary occupation of the homestead farmers (P<0.05). The study therefore, concluded that homestead farming was not influenced by all the socio-economic characteristics of women homestead farmers and hence recommended the provision of adequate women extension workers for training of the farmers.

Highlights

Background of the StudyHomestead farming arose as a complementary farming system that involves planting crops/raising of livestock around residential houses [1]
Homestead farming in Kebbi State according to oral account is generally perceived as a subsistence system of farming that promotes the livelihood of women homestead farmers at a household level; where for instance, the livestock husbandry, poultry, fishery and crop gardening are being practiced in accordance with the philosophy of indigenous knowledge
Farmers in Zuru Emirate, Kebbi State, Nigeria indigenous knowledge was observed as the knowledge utilized by majority of women homestead farmers in carrying out homestead farming activities

Summary

Introduction

Background of the StudyHomestead farming arose as a complementary farming system that involves planting crops/raising of livestock around residential houses [1]. The socio-economic advantage of homestead farming among the women homestead farmers in Nigeria is primarily linked to the initiative of how to increase the productivity of farming enterprises at a household level, in order to reduce the reliance of a single commodity for household consumption demand and to generate income for sustaining the livelihood of family of the homestead farmers [3]. Homestead farming in Kebbi State according to oral account is generally perceived as a subsistence system of farming that promotes the livelihood of women homestead farmers at a household level; where for instance, the livestock husbandry, poultry, fishery and crop gardening are being practiced in accordance with the philosophy of indigenous knowledge. Empirical studies in relation to the women homestead farmers’ engagement on homestead farming in International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences 2021; 7(2): 84-88

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