FACTORS INFLUENCING WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN GINGER PRODUCTION IN SAMARU KATAF AGRICULTURAL ZONE OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined factors influencing women participation in ginger production in Samaru Kataf agricultural zone of Kaduna State, Nigeria. A multi stage sampling technique was used in selecting 255 respondents from the study area. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicate that the average age of respondents was 41.02 years, with a majority (78.8%) being married and having an average household size of 11 members. A significant proportion (72.9%) attained tertiary education, and 62.7% were engaged in civil service alongside ginger farming. The average farm size was 0.7 hectares, and majority (69.41%) of the respondents earned between N100,000 - N500,000 annually. Additionally, 80.8% of respondents had access to credit, and 54.1% had regular contact with extension agents. The major benefits of ginger farming identified included increased income (74.1%), financial independence (76.5%), and enhanced food security (60.0%). Logit regression results showed that age (p < 0.1) and income (p < 0.1) positively influenced women’s participation, whereas access to government subsidies negatively affected their involvement (p < 0.01). However, constraints to ginger production included disease and pest infestations (85.1%), limited access to manure (86.3%), high input costs (63.2%), and inadequate storage facilities (55.3%). Other challenges identified were land tenure issues (64.3%), adverse climatic conditions (70.6%), and unstable market prices (54.1%). The study concluded that ginger production plays a critical role in enhancing rural livelihoods and economic sustainability. The study recommended that government and financial institutions should enhance farmers’ access to credit by reducing interest rates and simplifying loan processes, increased engagement of extension agents can enhance farmers’ knowledge on improve d productions.