Determinants of women interest in agriculture: evidence from Sokoto state, Nigeria

Absence of first hand information regarding women's interest in agriculture is a major bottleneck to their level of participation which limit the opportunity to predict or formulate appropriate policy to boost their agricultural activities in Sokoto State. Towards this end, a study has been conducted within Sokoto metropolis to analyze the determinants of women interest in agriculture. The targeted populations for this study were women farmers group within Sokoto metropolis of Sokoto State. The data used in this study were primary data administered on a random sample of 60 women within the metropolis. Two local government areas were purposively selected because they form the largest population of Sokoto metropolis (Sokoto South and Sokoto North). Three districts were then randomly selected from each studied local government areas. In each of the districts, 10 women were randomly selected and interviewed. Data analyses were done with descriptive statistics, binary Logit regression and exponential regression. The result showed that variables such as years of education, experience in agricultural activities, family size, farm size, and participation in women group contributed significantly to women's interest in agricultural production. Participation in women group had the highest influence on women's interest in agricultural production. The result of the exponential regression showed that Age, years of education, group experience and farm size had regression coefficients that were positive, showing a direct relationship between participation of women in women groups and their interest in agriculture. It was recommended that: in order to improve on women interest in agriculture, more women group should be formed; they should equally be provided with farm inputs, increase their access to credits and be trained through workshops.