Farm Decision Making Among Cocoa Farming … · Ifenkwe G. E. Department of Rural ... Abstract This research work assessed women’s contribution to farm decision making among cocoa

International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development January 2013, Vol. 2, No. 1

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Farm Decision Making Among Cocoa Farming Households in Ikwuano L.G. A.Of Abia State Nigeria

Arigbo, Precious Obinna Department of Rural Sociology and Extension, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,

Umudike, Abia State Nigeria

Ifenkwe G. E. Department of Rural Sociology and Extension, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,

Umudike, Abia State Nigeria Abstract This research work assessed women’s contribution to farm decision making among cocoa farming households in Ikwuano L. G. A of Abia State South-Eastern Nigeria. The objectives were to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, determine the extent to which women contribute to decision making on cocoa farming, ascertained factors affecting women’s contribution to farm decisions and recommend measures for enhancing their contribution to decision making. Eighty (80) respondents were selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected through interview schedule by means of a questionnaire and were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means and multiple regression. The mean age of the farmers was 44.6 years. Seventy nine percent of the respondents were married, and 88% had access to formal education. A greater number (65%) of the respondents do not belong to any cooperative society. The women were actively involved in nine (9) out of 14 decisions making areas, and had a mean level of contribution score of 1.99 implying that they contributed significantly to farm decision making. The regression result shows that age (-1.067181), level of education (-0.137846), marital status (-0.480055) and farm size (-0.042332) negatively affected women’s contribution to farm decision making, while farming experience (0.062032), frequency of extension contact (0.114490) and cooperative membership (0.721139) positively affected women’s contribution. The perceived constraints identified as militating against women’s contribution to farm decision making were tedious nature of cocoa farming activities, poor extension contact, age, and lack of funds. Improved access to credit, regular visit of extension agents and improved access to land were recommended as measures to enhance women contribution to farm decision making. Keywords: Decision making, Households, Cocoa, Women, Agro-forestry. Introduction Taking adequate and timely farm decisions by a farmer or group of farmers is a good farm management practice necessary for increased food production. This ensures that the right things are done in the farm at the right time. Women have been the major food producers in


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rural communities especially in the African region (African Farmer, 1994). Consequently, they (women) are required to be at the forefront in taking various farm decisions. Despite women’s key role in agriculture and development, pressure must still be mounted to ensure that government, economic planners and donor institutions place a high priority on bolstering women farmers. Agricultural policies and programmes continue to overlook the central role of women in agriculture and reinforce inequality in women’s access to productive resources including land, labour inputs and technology and support services such as credit, extension and research (FAO, 1995). However, despite the significant role played by these women in agricultural production, processing and marketing in Nigeria (Nweke and Enete, 1999; Barasa, 2006) available literature shows that men have continued to dominate farm decision making, even in areas where women are the largest providers of farm labour (Mosha, 1992, Anyawu and Agu, 1996; Amaechina, 2002). Women are more constrained by their immediate physical environment than men. In Nigeria, traditional institutions have men leading and women are largely prevented from belonging to the inner caucuses of these institutions. (Disu, 1998a). Over the years, traditional institutions have been involved in policy formation and involving only males in the exercise. As a result, issues affecting women were seen through the eyes of these men who were deeply rooted in culture and tradition (Disu, 1998b). Thus, as far as the traditional sphere is concerned, women were not permitted to exercise any significant role in family matters and developmental issues that woman continued to be excluded intentionally and unintentionally in matters affecting them (Disu, 1999). Jibowo (2000) posited that in Nigeria, and most developing part of the world, the father is the key actor in the rural family decision-making process, but the mother influences, approves or at least agrees with these choices before it could be pursued with cooperation of other family members. Solomon and Adekoya (2006), in a research in Osun State, found out that older women participated more in household decision making and, in communities where women were denied participation, they would eventually participate as they get older though, this is inversely related to household size. A study of personal and socio-economic characteristics of women who participated in decision making along with their husbands in farming operations revealed that they were able bodied group, had formal education and small size holdings. It was also found that those with urban contact and high social participation participated in decision making than others (Omokhudu, 1999). Studies have also shown that when women are fully involved in decision making, families are healthier and better fed and family incomes, savings, and re-investment go up (Kofi, Anan, 2003. Decision making position will not necessarily be given to someone but one needs to want to influence decisions (Sornes, 1993).


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Several decisions need to be made by the farmer as a manager in the organisation of farm business. The management decisions are broadly classified into organizational management decisions, administrative management decisions and marketing decisions (Subba Reddy S, et al, 2004). The Organizational management decisions are sub-divided into operational management decisions and strategic management decisions. Operational Management Decisions are those decisions which involve less investment and are made frequently, are called operational management decisions. The effect of these decisions is short lived. These decisions can be reversed without incurring a cost or with less cost. These decisions are what, how, and how much to produce, and they are also known as tactical decisions. Strategic Management Decisions are decisions involving heavy investment and are made less frequently. The effect of these decisions is long lasting. These decisions cannot be altered. However, in the case of reversal of these decisions farmers have to incur high cost. These decisions are also known as basic decisions. Size of the farm, machinery and labour programme, construction of farm buildings, permanent improvements on the farm like development of irrigation facilities, soil conservation, reclamation, etc., are some examples of strategic management decisions. Besides organisational management decisions, the farmer also makes several administrative decisions like financing the farm business, supervision, accounting and adjusting his farm business according to government policies and this is known as administrative management decisions. Marketing decisions involve buying and selling. Over the past decades, issues related to the recognition of women’s role in economic and social development and of equality between men and women have generated increased interest among policy-makers and development practitioners (Sarr, 1999). However, inspite of a noticeable improvement in gender awareness worldwide, data on women’s work and economic contribution seem to have remained far from comprehensive. A study by Sarr (1999) on the socio-cultural norms and customs underlying the social and political inequalities in rural areas in 16 African countries shows that norms are not the root causes hindering rural women or relegating them to the status of second class citizens. They often have limited access to and control of productive resources (FAO, 1999). It would seem logical that with the labour inputs of the rural women to the family farms and with their complete responsibility for their personal farms, they would also have a significant role in making decision regarding farms (Olawoye, 1989). The competence of women with regards to decision making has been often questioned. It is in the light of this that this study accessed women’s role in farm decision making among cocoa farming households in Ikwuano L. G. A. of Abia Nigeria. The study:

described the socio-economic characteristics of respondents,

determined the extent of women’s contribution to decision making in cocoa farming households,


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ascertained factors affecting women contribution to farm decisions, and

recommended measures that will enhance women contributions to farm in decision making.

Methodology Study Area The study was conducted in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State Nigeria. Ikwuano L.G.A’s was created on the 27th August 1991, and the headquarters is at Isiala-oboro which is approximately 14km away from the state capital, Umuahia town. Ikwuano L.G.A has about 600 sqkm, as well as population of about 61,214 according to the 2006 population census. Ikwuano L. G. A is bounded in the North by Bende and Umuahia North L. G. As, Isiala Ngwa in the west and Akwa-Ibom State in the East. Ikwuano L. G. A is made up four clans namely, Oboro, Ibere, Oloko, and Ariam. More autonomous communities have been created in Ikwuano L.G.A, and so autonomous communities have increased to 28 which include: Oboro, Ajatanaigu, Awom, Agbala-ozu, Amaoba Ime, Ariam, Afa, Ala-Ala Oboro, Awomnaebo, Agbo Ibere, Awomukwu, Umudike, Awomn’Uzie etc. The main occupation of Ikwuano people is farming. The soil of the L.G.A is fertile though slightly acidic. The major food crop grown are cassava, yam, vegetables, maize etc, while tree crops grown mainly are cocoa, rubber and oil palm. Various kinds of livestock and poultry are also raised by Ikwuano people. Population of the Study The population of the study comprised of all cocoa farming households in Ikwuano L.G.A. of Abia State. However, a multi-stage, random sampling technique was used to select the sample size used. Four autonomous communities were purposively selected from the list of the autonomous communities that make up the L.G.A’s. This is because cocoa production is the major agricultural activity in these autonomous communities. Two villages were randomly selected from the list of the villages that make up each of the autonomous communities. Ten (10) households were selected randomly from each selected villages. In all, the sample size was made up of eighty (80) respondents. Data Collection Primary data were obtained with the aid of a structured questionnaire, and through oral interview and personal observation. A three (3) point likert-type scale was employed to determine the extent of women contributions in various decision making areas. This was measured by scoring the respondents according to how they contributed to decision making. The levels of contribution were indicated in a three-point likert-type scale.

1. Not involved


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2. Sometimes involved 3. Always involved

Mean degree for each was calculated by dividing the total extent for each of contributions by the number of the respondents. Respondents with mean score of 2.0 and above were regarded as having contributed actively, while those with mean score of less than 2.0 were regarded as having not contributed. Data Analysis Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and mean were used to analyse objectives 1and 4. Objective 3 was analysed using multiple regression model, specified implicit form as: Y = f(x1 x2 x3 x4 x5 x6 x7 ) + e Where Y = Women’s contribution to farm decisions (Contributed = 1 Not contributed = 0)

X1= Age (years) X2= Level of education (Number of years spent in schooling) X3= Marital status (Married =1 Single = 0) X4= Farming experience (Years of farming) X5= Frequency of extension contact X6= Cooperative membership X7= Farm size e = Error term

Results and Discussion Socio-economic Characteristics of Cocoa Farming Households The socio-economic characteristics of cocoa farming households studied were age, marital status, educational background, primary occupation, farming experience, and cooperative membership, and the results are as shown in Table 1


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Table 1: Distribution of respondents by socio-economic characteristics Variables Frequency Percentage (%) Age (Years) 21-30 16 20.00 31-40 14 17.50 41-50 22 27.50 51-60 19 23.75 61-above 9 11.25 Total 80 100 Marital status Married 63 78.75 Single 11 13.75 Widowed 5 6.25 Separated 1 1.25 Total 80 100 Years of education Primary complete 29 36.25 Junior secondary 2 2.50 Senior secondary 27 33.75 Tertiary 12 15.00 None 10 12.50 Total 80 100 Primary occupation Civil servant 11 13.75 Trading 20 25.00 Unemployed 5 6.25 Full time farming 39 48.75 House wife 5 6.25 Total 80 100 Farming experience (Years) 1-5 5 6.25 6-10 25 31.25 11-15 19 23.75 16-20 12 15.00 21-25 2 2.50 26-30 7 8.75 31-35 3 3.75 36-40 3 3.75 41-Above 4 5 Total 80 100 Cooperative membership Non- member 52 65


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Member 28 35 Total 80 100 Source: Field survey, 2012 The mean age of the farmers was 44.6. About 27.50% fell into the age bracket of 41-50 years and only about 11.25% of the respondents fell into the age bracket of 61and above years, indicating that relatively young women participated actively in farming, and as they advance in age, their participation reduces. In general, therefore, the women were within the economically-active age. This is line with the observation of Adetunji et al (2007) and Gray (2001) that cocoa farmers in West African countries in general have an average age of 50 years and above. Data in Table 1 also shows that about 78.75% of the farmers were married. It can be deduced that there are more married women involved in cocoa farming than single, widowed, divorced or separated from their husbands. This trend seems to agree with the findings of Fabiyi et al (2007) in Gombe State, where they observed about 50% of their sampled women were married, while 13% and 17% were divorced and widowed, respectively. It could be due to the fact their husbands were cocoa farmers or the need for women to work to support their own household. Only about 12.50% of the women did not have access to formal education. The mean years of education was 9.63 which shows that majority that attempted schooling managed to finish junior secondary school, while a few (16.25%) passed through secondary or tertiary institutions. Table 1 also shows that most of the respondents (48.75%) were full-time farmers, while 25% had trading as their primary occupation. The average farming experience was 18.88 years. As shown in Table 1, 31.25% of the respondents had 6-10 years of farming experience, and only 5% had up to 40 years and above of farming experience. This is in sharp contrast to what was observed by Anselem et al (2010) where the average farming experience of the women was 28 years and majority (about 78%) of them had above 21years of farming experience. Majority of the farmers (65%) did not belong to any cooperative as against 35% of those who were members of one cooperative or the other.

Extent of Women’s Contribution to Farm Decision Making Table 2 shows that the women contributed actively in nine (9) cocoa farming decision making areas. The areas are time of sowing ( =2.16), weeding time ( =2.04), storage ( =2.35),

marketing of farm produce ( = 2.15), purchase of farm implement ( =2.13), purchase of farm

land ( =2.25), farm credit acquisition ( =2.25), time of harvest ( =2.14), sales of farm

implement ( =2.06). The level of contribution of women to farm decision making in cocoa

farming household was 1.99, implying that the women sometimes contributed to decision making. According to World Bank (1995), if disparities between men’s and woman’s status, access to resources, control of assets and decision making powers persists, sustainable and equitable development would be undermined.


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Table: 2 Distribution of respondents by extent of contribution to cocoa farming Decision making areas Frequency Mean Land preparation 156 1.95 Time of sowing 173 2.16 Manure/fertilizer types and time of application 80 1 Weeding time 163 2.04 Number of hired labourers 154 1.93 Wages to be paid to labourers 118 1.48 Time of harvest 171 2.14 Storage 188 2.35 Marketing of farm produce 172 2.15 Purchase of farm implement 170 2.13 Sale of farm implement 165 2.06 Purchase of land 180 2.25 Sale of land 158 1.96 Farm credit acquisition 180 2.25 Grand mean = 27.85 Level of contribution = 1.99 Source: Field survey, 2012 NB: Multiple responses recorded Factors Affecting Women Contribution to Farm Decision Making The coefficient of the regression result (Table 3) shows that age (-1.067181) was negatively related to women’s contribution to cocoa farm decision making. The implication is that as the women advanced in age their contribution to farm decision making reduced. Although wisdom is expected to come with age and, in some traditional societies the older a woman gets the more her opinion is respected and sought after in decision making, this result contradicts this. The reason could be that at old age, the women begin to lose interest in cocoa farming and consequently are not consulted for decision making Table: 3 Regression result of factors affecting women contribution to farm decision making Variables Coefficient Std. Error t-statistic Prob. Age (x1) -1.067181 0.307680 -3.468476* 0.0009 Level of education (x2) -0.137846 0.088696 -1.554151 0.1245 Marital status (x3) -0.480055 1.145424 -0.419107 0.6764 Farming experience (x4) 0.062032 0.033755 1.837700** 0.0702 Frequency of extension Contact (x5) 0.114490 0.255890 0.447420 0.6559 Cooperative membership (x6) 0.721139 0.895645 0.805162 0.4234 Farm size (x7) -0.042332 0.023483 -1.802621** 0.0756 Constant 11.93281 1.618581 7.372388 0.0000


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Source: Field survey, 2012 *** * Significant at 1% level of significance, ** Significant 5% level of significance Level of education (-0.13786) also negatively affected women’s decision making. The reason could also be traceable to lack of interest, because educated women often go for white collar jobs and so look down on farming as a business for the uneducated and unenlightened. Marital status (-0.480055) negatively affect women contributions probably because married women are under the headship of their husband, and often times the husband takes most of the decision in the house. Besides, marriage comes with added responsibilities for a woman such as child bearing and other household chores that are peculiar to women which could divert their interest from farming. Farm size (-0.042332) also affected women’s contribution negatively. This is because large farms require managerial competence which often is not found among women. Cooperative membership (0.721139) positively affected women’s contribution to decision making. When women belong to cooperatives they are often exposed to information that enhances their level of decision making. Farming experience (0.062032) also positively affects women contribution to decision making. The reason is that experienced farmers may be more versatile with regards to the production systems and may, therefore, be better able to assess the risks involved in farming than inexperienced ones. The data also shows a positive relationship between extension contacts (0.114490) and decision making. The reason might be that as the women interact with extension agents, they learn in the process, and learning enhances decision making. From the data in Table 3 all the variables (age, level of education, marital status, farming experience, frequency of extension contact, cooperative membership and farm size) were significant. This is to say that all of them affected women contribution in farm decision making. Measures to Enhance Women Contribution to Farm Decision Making Data in Table 4 reveal suggested measures for enhancing women’s contribution to farm decision making among cocoa farming households. Fifty nine percent of the women claimed that increasing access to credit will enhance their contribution, while 56.25% noted that access to land will improve their contributions. Regular visit of extension agents would enhance their contributions according to 50 percent of the respondents


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Table: 4 Distribution of respondents according to measures that will enhance their contribution to farm decision making. Measures Frequency Percentage (%) Improve education 38 47.50 Access to credit 47 58.75 Regular visit of extension agents 40 50 Exposure to NGO programmes 38 47.50 Access to land 45 56.25 Exposure to information 36 45 Removing cultural barriers 10 12.50 Source: Field survey, 2012 NB: Multiple responses recorded Conclusion and Recommendations This research work was aimed at assessing women’s contributions in farm decision making among cocoa farming household in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. The study described the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, determined the extent of women’s contribution in farm decision making among cocoa farming households, ascertained factors affecting women contribution to farm decisions. Findings show that the mean age of the respondents was 44.6 implying that majority of the respondents were within the economically- active age. Majority of the respondents (78.75 %,) were married. About 65% of the respondents were not members of any cooperative society. The women were actively involved in nine (9) out of 14 cocoa farming decisions-making areas, and had a mean level contribution score of 1.99, implying that women sometimes contributed to farm decision making. The factors affecting women contribution to decision making were age, level of education, marital status, farming experience, frequency of extension contact, cooperative membership and farm size. While age, level of education, marital status and farm size negatively affected women’s contributions to farm decision making, farming experience, frequency of extension contact and cooperative membership positively affected women contribution. It is therefore recommended that: women should be given more access to land and credit and also be allowed to belong to

cooperatives, an effective institutional framework should be developed through programmes that

enhance the competence of women. This will enhance their contribution to decision making,

the frequency of extension contact for women should be increased since extension contact was found to show a significant and positive relationship between women and their contribution to farm decision making


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Farm Decision Making Among Cocoa Farming … · Ifenkwe G. E. Department of Rural ... Abstract This research work assessed women’s contribution to farm decision making among cocoa