CONTRIBUTIONS OF RURAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN NON–FARM AND OFF–FARM ENTERPRISES TO HOUSEHOLDS POVERTY REDUCTION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed the contributions of rural women entrepreneurs in non – farm and off – farm enterprises to households poverty reduction in Abia State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: examine the socio- economic characteristics of the respondents, identify the non- farm and off- far...

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Main Author: ONU SAMSON EJIKE
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria 2017-10-01
Series:Journal of Agricultural Extension
Subjects:
Online Access:http://aesonnigeria.org/ajm/index.php/jae/article/view/1229
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author ONU SAMSON EJIKE
author_facet ONU SAMSON EJIKE
author_sort ONU SAMSON EJIKE
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description The study assessed the contributions of rural women entrepreneurs in non – farm and off – farm enterprises to households poverty reduction in Abia State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: examine the socio- economic characteristics of the respondents, identify the non- farm and off- farm activities, ascertain the extent of contribution, and determine the contribution of income from non- farm and off- farm activities to poverty reduction respectively. A sample size of 180 respondents selected via multi stage sampling technique was used. Data generated via the use of questionnaire and were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics respectively. Results showed a mean age of 46 years, 66.7 % were married, 93.8 % were literates with a mean monthly income of ₦23,444.00 and a mean household size of 5 persons respectively. Farm –gate trading (38.9 %), agro- processing (16.7 %), general merchandise (11.1%), restaurants/ bars (16.7 %), civil servants (4.4 %), and others (5.6 %) were identified as non- farm and off- farm enterprises. Income from non- farm and off- farm enterprises contributed to a very high extent and high extent (X =4.7, and4.5) and (X =4.4, 3.8 and 3.7) in household health care and feeding respectively and improved housing, children’s education and clothing respectively.It further contributed moderately (X= 3.3), (X=2.7), (X= 2.6) and (X= 3.0) in personal savings, social obligations, extended family responsibility and investment into agriculture respectively. Restaurant/bar(₦708.00/day),general merchandise(₦618.00/ day), agro- processing(₦596.00/day), civil servants(₦557.00/day), and, teaching/pastoring(₦535.00/day), among others contributed to poverty reduction in the study area. The Tobit result showed that age (X1=9.07***), household size (X4 = 4.064***) education (X3 = 7.029***) and income (X6 = 5.202***)respectively, significantly influenced contribution to household welfare. Business experience (X5=2.02**) significantly influenced contribution to household welfare. The study recommends that Extension Agents should encourage rural women to form co-operatives which will enable them obtain loans from financial firms, this will increase their  investment abilities into non- farm and off- farm ventures which supplement income from farming thereby reducing poverty mostly in the study area.
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spelling doaj.art-4e3c976b094d4d058005335209a528272022-12-22T03:54:26ZengAgricultural Extension Society of NigeriaJournal of Agricultural Extension1119-944X2408-68512017-10-01213CONTRIBUTIONS OF RURAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN NON–FARM AND OFF–FARM ENTERPRISES TO HOUSEHOLDS POVERTY REDUCTION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIAONU SAMSON EJIKE0MICHAEL OKPARA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, UMUDIKE UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE The study assessed the contributions of rural women entrepreneurs in non – farm and off – farm enterprises to households poverty reduction in Abia State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: examine the socio- economic characteristics of the respondents, identify the non- farm and off- farm activities, ascertain the extent of contribution, and determine the contribution of income from non- farm and off- farm activities to poverty reduction respectively. A sample size of 180 respondents selected via multi stage sampling technique was used. Data generated via the use of questionnaire and were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics respectively. Results showed a mean age of 46 years, 66.7 % were married, 93.8 % were literates with a mean monthly income of ₦23,444.00 and a mean household size of 5 persons respectively. Farm –gate trading (38.9 %), agro- processing (16.7 %), general merchandise (11.1%), restaurants/ bars (16.7 %), civil servants (4.4 %), and others (5.6 %) were identified as non- farm and off- farm enterprises. Income from non- farm and off- farm enterprises contributed to a very high extent and high extent (X =4.7, and4.5) and (X =4.4, 3.8 and 3.7) in household health care and feeding respectively and improved housing, children’s education and clothing respectively.It further contributed moderately (X= 3.3), (X=2.7), (X= 2.6) and (X= 3.0) in personal savings, social obligations, extended family responsibility and investment into agriculture respectively. Restaurant/bar(₦708.00/day),general merchandise(₦618.00/ day), agro- processing(₦596.00/day), civil servants(₦557.00/day), and, teaching/pastoring(₦535.00/day), among others contributed to poverty reduction in the study area. The Tobit result showed that age (X1=9.07***), household size (X4 = 4.064***) education (X3 = 7.029***) and income (X6 = 5.202***)respectively, significantly influenced contribution to household welfare. Business experience (X5=2.02**) significantly influenced contribution to household welfare. The study recommends that Extension Agents should encourage rural women to form co-operatives which will enable them obtain loans from financial firms, this will increase their  investment abilities into non- farm and off- farm ventures which supplement income from farming thereby reducing poverty mostly in the study area. http://aesonnigeria.org/ajm/index.php/jae/article/view/1229women entrepreneurspoverty reductionnon- farm and off- farm enterprises
spellingShingle ONU SAMSON EJIKE
CONTRIBUTIONS OF RURAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN NON–FARM AND OFF–FARM ENTERPRISES TO HOUSEHOLDS POVERTY REDUCTION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
Journal of Agricultural Extension
women entrepreneurs
poverty reduction
non- farm and off- farm enterprises
title CONTRIBUTIONS OF RURAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN NON–FARM AND OFF–FARM ENTERPRISES TO HOUSEHOLDS POVERTY REDUCTION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
title_full CONTRIBUTIONS OF RURAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN NON–FARM AND OFF–FARM ENTERPRISES TO HOUSEHOLDS POVERTY REDUCTION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
title_fullStr CONTRIBUTIONS OF RURAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN NON–FARM AND OFF–FARM ENTERPRISES TO HOUSEHOLDS POVERTY REDUCTION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
title_full_unstemmed CONTRIBUTIONS OF RURAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN NON–FARM AND OFF–FARM ENTERPRISES TO HOUSEHOLDS POVERTY REDUCTION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
title_short CONTRIBUTIONS OF RURAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN NON–FARM AND OFF–FARM ENTERPRISES TO HOUSEHOLDS POVERTY REDUCTION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
title_sort contributions of rural women entrepreneurs in nona€ farm and offa€ farm enterprises to households poverty reduction in abia state nigeria
topic women entrepreneurs
poverty reduction
non- farm and off- farm enterprises
url http://aesonnigeria.org/ajm/index.php/jae/article/view/1229
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