DETERMINANTS OF WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN CENTRAL ZONE OF BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed the determinants of women participation in livestock production in central zone of Bauchi State. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting 190 respondents, data were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Result reveals that 33.2% of the respondents were within age bracket of 17-30 years. Almost all (97.9%) of the respondents had 1-7 persons per household, and majority (61.6%) of them had primary education. The result further reveals that most (77.4%) of the respondents had a farming experience of 2-11years with herd size of 2-9 animals occupying (66.3%). The result also shows that most (79.5%) of the respondents keep their livestock under shade and almost all (98.4%) of the respondents have livestock farming as their major occupation. Furthermore, 98.4% of the respondents had no access to credits, with 73.2% of the respondents having access to extension services. All (100%) of the respondents indicated that family decision on animal matter decision is taken by men and 99.5% of them do not practice purdah. The results further depict that, egg and livestock selling and shade cleaning was done by women occupying 95.3% and 90.0% respectively. The results of regression analysis reveal that place of keeping livestock was negative and significant in influencing women participation in livestock production (P<0.01), household size, farming experience, cooperatives membership ware negative and significant (P<0.05). The result further indicates that the major constraints to participation in livestock production were inadequate media information, lack of confidence and social conflicts ranked 1st 2nd and 3rd, respectively. The study concluded that, women farmers play a significant role in livestock production. It was recommended that, proper extension services should be given to the women farmers and women should be encouraged to form cooperative groups to take advantage of credit windows available to cooperative societies.