ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY ACTION IN IMPROVING FARMER-SAVED SEED YAM (CAY-Seed) PROJECT, ABUJA NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was designed to assess the participation of women in seed yam production under the community action in improving farmer-saved seed yam project, Abuja Nigeria. Data were collected through structured questionnaire and focus group discussion and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that outside the control of marketing seed yam in Kwali Area Council where 86% of female respondents had control, other activities in seed yam production were controlled less by women. Women were not much involved in decision making except for the decision on marketing where 72% of female respondents were involved. Inadequate finance, poor soil fertility, poor road network and scarcity of clean seed yam were some of the major constraints hindering women from having high productivity in seed yam production. The study concluded that limited control over production resources and involvement in decision making processes minimized the capacity of women in seed yam production. It is therefore recommended that the public should be sensitized more on the benefits of giving women equal chance to make decisions in seed yam production. Supporting women with basic inputs like chemicals, fertilizers, credits and land which will invariably enhance their control over production resources should be championed by government, non-government organizations and rich private individuals.