Women Participation In Agricutural Decision-Making In Aguata Local Governmmment Area, Anambra State

Abstract

A study involving 120 women respondents investigated the level of women farmer’s participation in Agricultural decision-making in Aguata Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire and interview schedule. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that majority of the women farmers (80%) had between 10 to 20 years farming experience which helped them in making rational choice and decisions. About 75% of the women were full-time farmers who have contact with extension agents and belonged to Cooperative Societies. Results also showed that there was a low level (100%) of women farmers’ participation in taking major decision in group agricultural projects involving men. However 60% are involved in crucial farm decisions at family level. It is recommended that involving women farmers in decision-making at all stages of group and family agricultural projects should be a policy in the LGA and a road map to achieving sustainable agricultural development. Policy makers and planners therefore, need to acknowledge that farmers and other groups in the agricultural production chain can only work effectively within the framework of the policies that they put in place.