ABSTRACT

The study focused on investment in small scale enterprise, in the economic development of Nigeria and its specific objectives includes: Examine the socio-economic characteristics of small scale farmers with respect to gender. Determine the factors that affect investment in small scale enterprise along the gender line. And the constraints militating against investment in small scale enterprise. The study was conducted in the three (3) villages in Umuahia Local Government Area of Abia State. Gender who are involved in small scale Agribusiness food processing, food production, marketing, distribution were purposely selected and structured questionnaire were used for data collected. Data analysis was done using frequency distribution and profit probity regression model was used to analyzed the factors that affecting investment in small scale enterprise. The study shows that the women enterprises have more difficulties obtaining credit facilities. The study also revealed that women are fully involved in small scale enterprise and factors such age, business experience, income level and Household size, significantly affects the level of their investment. It was found that male enterprise succeed more than the females. The gender in small scale enterprise were faced with a number of constraints such as inadequate capital, credit facilities, high cost of input. Based on the findings, this study recommends that provision of effective credit policy with low interest rate and provision of adequate input will enhance their level of investment and this will help to quantity their contributions towards rural and economic development.