Relevance of Agricultural Extension Towards Effective Participation of Women in Agricultural Production in Federal Capital Territory (FCT)-Abuja.
ABSTRACT
This study ascertained Relevance of Agricultural Extension towards Effective Participation of Women in Agricultural Production in Federal Capital Territory-Abuja, Nigeria. Four specific objectives were formulated.
The specific objectives were to ascertain the extent to which agricultural extension is needed by women farmers. In line with these objectives, four research questions, and corresponding four Null Hypotheses were formulated. Related Literatures were reviewed.
Descriptive research design method was adopted. The population consisted of 8,005 women farmers. 350 women farmers were selected from 12 villages/towns in the six Area Councils using stratified random sampling method based on age.
Questionnaire was used for collecting data. Descriptive and Chi-Square Statistics were used in analyzing the data. All the Null Hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significant. Results of the mean scores revealed that women farmers needed agricultural extension for diffusion and adoption of new technologies.
Results of the tested Null Hypotheses showed that need of agricultural extension significantly related with participation of women in agricultural production (P> O.O5).
It was concluded that women performed a variety of operations in agriculture in the FCT however; certain factors limited them from effective performance. Agricultural extension was identified as a relevant strategy for enhancing their performance.
Based on these findings, Agricultural extension organizations should design and deliver more appropriate programmes and transmit research results to them. Women farmers should embark on farming enterprises that require less land.
Research Centres should develop suitable technologies for women farmers. Finally, understanding effective agricultural extension programming for women farmers was recommended for further study.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION …….. ii
CERTIFICATION ………. iii
DEDICATION ………. iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT …………. v
ABSTRACT ………..vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS . viii
LIST OF TABLES ……. xi
DEFINITION OF TERMS …..xii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS …………. xiii
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study ……. 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem ….. 5
1.3 Objectives of the Study ….. 7
1.3 Research Questions …… 7
1.4 Research Hypotheses ….. 7
1.4 Significance of the Study …………….. 8
1.7 Basic Assumptions of the Study ………. 9
1.8 Delimitation of the Study …….. 9
CHAPTER TWO REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Theoretical Framework….….11
2.2 Concept of Agricultural Extension ……. 14
2.3 Personal Characteristics of Women Farmers …. 15
2.4 Roles of Women in Agriculture ……….. 19
2.5 Need of Agricultural Extension by women farmers…….. 24
2.6 Factors Limiting Women Farmers’ Production and Access to Agricultural Extension … 31
2.7 Strategies for Improving Women Farmers Production and Access to Agricultural Extension .. 39
2.8 Empirical Studies ……….. 48
2.8 Summary of Literature Reviewed …………. 58
CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design ……. 60
3.2 Population for the Study ……… 60
3.3 Sample Size and Sampling Procedure. ……. 61
3.4 Instrument for Data Collection ………. 62
3.4.1 Validation of the Instruments ……. 63
3.4.2 Pilot Study ………… 63
3.4.3 Reliability of the Instrument…. 63
3.5 Procedure for Data Collection … 64
3.6 Procedure for Data Analysis. …… 64
CHAPTER FOUR DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Data and Interpretation ……… 65
4.2 Analysis of Data to Answer Research Questions …… 67
4.3 Testing of Null Hypotheses ………. 73
4.4 Summary of Major Findings . 76
4.5 Discussion of Major Findings ………… 77
CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary… 81
5.2 Conclusion ……….. 83
5.3 Recommendations……. 84
5.4 Implication of the Study …85
5.5 Limitation of the Study ….. 85
5.6 Suggestions for Further Study… 86
REFERENCES …. 87
APPENDIX … 101
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Information dissemination is a critical tool for promoting development. It is an essential input to production particularly when agriculture is being modernized. Camble (1992) asserted that man required information to be able to manipulate factors of production such as land, labour and capital resources into meaningful and productive use.
This assertion was supported by Tripp (2006) who opined that information has an important role in all types of agricultural system. Providing information to promote agricultural development will increasingly require a systematic approach.
Farmers, institutions and organization are all elements in one system, linked by the use, generation and diffusion of knowledge and information.
Based on this understanding, the Federal Government has designed several structures to implement several programmes geared towards efficient and effective information dissemination with a view to improving agricultural production.
Agricultural extension is one of the important tools governments have for effecting the system. It is an important instrument for stimulating agricultural development.
Agricultural extension involves disseminating information on agricultural technologies and improved practices to farm families and ensuring farmers’ capacity building through the use of a variety of communication methods and training programmes (Agbamu, 2005).
REFERENCES
Abba-Gana, M. (2003). Speech delivered on the occasion of the award of an honorary doctorate degree by the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, January 18. In Ochu, A.O. (2006). Education for National Growth and Stability. Lagos: Peacemakers Publishing Company PP 59.
Abdullahi, A. (2001). Federal Government Determines to Revitalize Agriculture. Nigeria Agriculture Magazine. Nov/Dec. 21 – 22
Abiola, O. O. (2007). Procedures in Educational Research. Kaduna: HANI JAM Publications.
Abubakar, I.D. (2000). The Role of Education in National Development with Special Reference to Nigeria. The Pioneer – A multi-disciplinary Journal of Studies. 1(1)12
Adedoyin, S.F. (1990). Linkages in the development of agricultural research information by Nigerian research institutes. Journal of Research and Development 1(1)71-75.
Adedoyin,S.F.(2004).Plentiful Agricultural Resources but Limited Andragogical Transmission. 33rd Inaugural Lecture of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye. July, 31st P12
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