Constraints to activities of women agricultural cooperative societies in Emure Local Government Area of Ekiti State
Bamigboye O. T., Ogunjimi S. I., Adara C. T.
Abstract
This study examined the constraints hindering activities of women agricultural cooperative societies in Emure Local Government Area of Ekiti state. A total of 110 Women in agricultural cooperative societies were randomly selected from six women cooperative societies. Data were collected using interview schedule and analysed using frequency distribution, percentages, and means. The results indicated that the mean age of women farmers is 45 years and most of the respondents were educated. Majority (78.2%) of the respondents indicated that the major source of information on improved inputs, marketing of produce and other Agricultural services were from members of cooperative societies as well as 74.5%have inadequate extension contact. Constraints faced by the cooperative group include inadequate access to credit facilities (x?=3.64), high interest (x?=3.61), mismanagement of fund (x?=3.55), leadership problem (x?=3.47) and gender discrimination (x?=3.28). Access to credit facilities is the major constraint facing the respondent, therefore, there is need for government to extend credit facilities to the women agricultural cooperative societies and the extension agent should be involved in training of farmers in women agricultural cooperative societies.
Keywords: Women Farmers, Agricultural Cooperative Societies, Credit facilities