ABSTRACT

This study investigated the participation of women farmer in Rice production in Bende Local Government Area  of Abia State. Data relevant to the study were collected through the use if both structured questionnaire and personal interview with farmers. Information were sought on such variable as input and output coefficients as well as socio-economic factors such as age, sex, marital status, level of Education, household size, farm size, cost and returns of farm operation and the problems affecting the level of participation of women farmers in rice production. Bende Local Government was demarcated into 12 villages, 4 were selected by simple random sampling procedure. The list of farmers in the selected village formed the frame from which a sample of 160 farmers comprising of 30 men and 110 women, were chosen for the study. The data collected were analyzed by use of statistical techniques such as percentages, average, test of significance, regression analysis. The result reveal a gross margin of N23,471.2 for women farmers and N3329.5 for men farmers showing that rice production participated by women farmers was operating on a profitable level. Also from the production function analysis, it revealed that both men and women farmers were inefficient in the use if their resources, farm size and labour were both underutilized and over utilized. This study also investigated constraint in rice production like poor state of roads, high cost of labour, lack of credit facilities, lack of storage facilities, Also the incidence of pest and diseases were among the factor identified to influence the productivity of women farmers. This should be given urgent attension to attain the level of rice production that will meet up with high demand of rice as a staple food. It was recommended that extension agency should design special teaching programmes for women farmers and conduct such training in farmers own locations, This will help reduce the rate of illitracy and enable them acquire the basic agricultural knowledge and skill needed in Agricultural production. This study concludes by calling for optimal utilization of farm resources as a way of increasing food production in Abia State.