FACTORS INFLUENCING LIVELIHOOD DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGIES AMONG WOMEN CROP FARMERS IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed the livelihood diversification activities among women crop farmers in Gombe State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 416 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The major sources of livelihood diversification information were peer group/co farmers and extension agent constituting 75.7% and 72.8% of the respondents, respectively. The result also show that majority (72.8%) of the respondents had access to extension agents and 35.7% were frequently visited monthly. Furthermore the result revealed that marital status (P<0.01), years of membership (P<0.01), access to credit (P<0.05), land (P<0.05), household head (P<0.10) and household size (P<0.10) were the significant factors influencing livelihood diversification in the study area. The result of propensity score matching of the livelihood diversification index on income showed (P<0.05) between the treatment and the control. The study concluded that marital status, years of membership, access to credit, and household size were the major factors influencing livelihood diversification in the study area. It is recommended that women should be encouraged to diversify and participate more in extension programs for exposure to communication information and embrace more diversification opportunities.