Factors affecting women’s access to agricultural production inputs in Oyo state, Nigeria

This study assessed the factors affecting women’s access to agro-input resources on Oyo State, Nigeria. A total of 105 respondents were selected for the study. Primary data was collected with the use of questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for the study. Results of analysis shows that most of the respondents had primary education (68.9%), 3 to 4years of experience (66.7%) and commonly used inputs were improved seed (53.3%), organic fertilizer (52.4%) and herbicide/pesticide (47.6%). Main source of information was extension agent (98.1%). Most of the respondents had: free access to water for irrigation (93.3%) and agricultural extension services (74.3%), restricted access to improved seeds (94.3%), organic fertilizer (90.5%) and water pumping machine (56.2%) and no access to tubewell and washbore (70.5%). Main constraint to accessibility of inputs was lack of credit facilities (98.1%). The study concludes that the socio-economic factors affecting women’s accessing to agricultural input resources were their age, religion and educational status. Hence the need for government agricultural policy and programmes aimed at distributing agricultural input in the study area that should strictly ensure that women of increased age, a particular religious affiliation and more educated ones should not be unnecessary favoured.