Factors Influencing the Preference For Labour Saving Devices Among Rural Women In Kaduna State, Nigeria

Rural women are often saddled with drudgery-laden tasks and require succor by way of labour saving devices (LSDs). This study was carried out to investigate the level of awareness of LSDs, actual use of LSDs, factors influencing the preference for, and constraints limiting the use of LSDs, Multi-stage sampling was used to select three Local Government Areas in Kaduna State, 228 respondents and four drudgery-laden tasks (DLTS). 2 on-farm and 2 off-farm-relating to maize production. Primary data were generated using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, 5-point Likert type scale and Chi square statistics. The results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 36.5 years while average household size was 7.8 persons. Majority (91.7%) of the respondents knew about LSDs while only 48.5% used devices on a regular basis. Chi-square analysis showed that age, education and household size significantly influenced preference for LSDs; marital status and occupation did not (P<0.05). Constraints identified include high cost and unavailability of devices. Interventions are suggested with a view to better harnessing of LSDs and improving the livelihoods of rural womenfolk. Key words: Labour Saving Devices Rural Women DOI: 10.7176/DCS/9-8-07 Publication date: August 31st 201

Assessment of the Performance of Farmers' Cooperative Societies: A Case of Kaduna State Nigeria

The study was carried out in Soba Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna state to appraise the performance of four (4) farmers’ cooperative societies using a structured questionnaire administered to 116 randomly selected cooperators. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive and nonparametric statistics. The results revealed that several factors had motivated members to join societies. The average loan approval rate of 93.3% was recorded for the 3-year period of 2015, 2016, and 2017. About 73 cooperators representing 62.9% assessed the services of the cooperative societies as very satisfactory or satisfactory; only 12.9% assessed them as not satisfactory. Major constraints that identified include inadequate capital (19.7%), limited income generating activities (16.5%), and poor attitude of cooperators (14.5%)

Assessment of the Performance of Farmers' Cooperative Societies: A Case of Kaduna State Nigeria

The study was carried out in Soba Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna state to appraise the performance of four (4) farmers’ cooperative societies using a structured questionnaire administered to 116 randomly selected cooperators. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive and nonparametric statistics. The results revealed that several factors had motivated members to join societies. The average loan approval rate of 93.3% was recorded for the 3-year period of 2015, 2016, and 2017. About 73 cooperators representing 62.9% assessed the services of the cooperative societies as very satisfactory or satisfactory; only 12.9% assessed them as not satisfactory. Major constraints that identified include inadequate capital (19.7%), limited income generating activities (16.5%), and poor attitude of cooperators (14.5%)