ROLE OF WOMEN IN SUGAR CANE FARMING IN MUSHERE DISTRICT OF BOKKOS LOCAL AREA OF PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Agriculture continues to play an important role in most non – industrial economies as a major contributor to individual earnings, employment and livelihood. Official statistics often underestimate the value of women’s work and their contribution to national wealth. Food and Agricultural organization estimates show women represent a substantial share of the total agricultural labor force. Thus, the focus of this study is on the role of women in sugar cane farming in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. A total of 100 questionnaires were administered to respondents via a systematic simple random sampling technique. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS. The result of the study was presented using descriptive statistics such as tables, percentages to show the pattern of distributions of the variables and multiple regression to show the relationship between socio – economic and demographic characteristics and the role of women in sugarcane farming in the study area. The results show that 100% of respondents own their farmland, many were educated, young and had long years of farming experience. Furthermore, the majority of the farmers used traditional seeds, and their major roles were land clearing, processing and marketing of the sugarcane. Challenges faced by the farmers were lack of machineries and inconsistency of government policies. The result of multiple regression shows a strong relationship between socio – economic and demographic characteristics and the role of women sugarcane farming. Finally, the study recommended that governments should encourage mechanized farming and stabilize agricultural policies.