The Role of Women in Sustaining Agriculture Development in Rural Communities in Rivers State

Abstract

Women are very active in the workforce but they continue to remain invisible in the production chain. The study was to ascertain the role of women farmers in sustaining agricultural activities in selected rural communities in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State namely Ozuzu, Igbo-Etche and Ikwerre Ngwo communities. A total of 200 women were purposively drawn randomly to reflect women that are active in farming. Three research questions were proposed for this study. The actual farm work women do and the size of farmland they cultivate was highly considered in this study as well as the assistance women need to expand their agricultural activities to ensure food security in the state. The result showed that women are involved in all farm work. Most Women work on small farm size, but the major challenge women face is access to economic resources (land and capital).