ROLE OF WOMEN FARMERS’ COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION: A CASE STUDY OF BAUCHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAUCHI STATE.

Abstract

This study was aimed at examining the role of Women farmers’ cooperative Societies in Agricultural Production in Bauchi Local Government Area of Bauchi State Nigeria. A total of eighty (80) women farmers were randomly selected from eight Cooperative societies which represent 50% of all registered and viable Cooperative Societies in the study area. Data were collected using well-structured pre-tested interview schedules, and analysed by means of descriptive statistics (frequency distribution, percentages and means). The results indicated that women Cooperative Societies in the study area were engaged in agricultural activities, such as land clearance (62.5%), planting and transplanting (62.5%) weeding (40%), fertilizer application (75%), food processing (87.5%), food storage (95%) and animal production and management (94%) respectively. The average land size of the respondents was 1.3 hectare. Constraints to their development efforts included inadequacy of finance; lack of training of their members, inadequate farm implements and lack of suitable machines for Women farmer’s use. Government should provide soft and medium term loan to women cooperative societies. Extension staff should make women cooperative societies as a target group for quick delivery of extension services. Apparently technologies for Women farmers should be made available and affordable to all women farmers particularly members of Cooperative Societies.Agribusiness,