Factors influencing participation of women in community based agricultural projects in Nyamira county; a case of agricultural sector development support programme (ASDSP) in Nyamira township ward.
Abstract
The study investigated the factors influencing participation of women in community based
agricultural projects in Nyamira Township Ward, Nyamira County. More specifically the
study sought to evaluate the influence of training, socio culture and access to information to
women in community based agriculture. Enhancing women's participation in development is
essential not only for achieving social justice but also for reducing poverty. Worldwide
experience shows that supporting a stronger role for women contributes to economic growth,
improves child survival and overall family health. In short, investing in women is central to
sustainable development. Descriptive research was used in the research. The target
populations were the groups involved in community based agriculture in Nyamira Township.
Primary data was collected using a questionnaire. A pilot test was conducted to establish the
validity and reliability of the questionnaire. Data presentation was done using tables. The
study found that indeed, the factors; training, socio culture and access to information did
influence the participation of women in community based agriculture. Training gives the
women a voice and a scope of influence in community based agriculture. A needs assessment
of the resource gaps is imperative in the course of empowering women in community based
agriculture. It is of great importance for the women to ensure that they understand their
capacity inadequacies and room for growth. . Majority of the farmers were made aware of the
ASDSP programme through the radio/ television media and the information travelled widely
through the word of mouth within their constituent groups grapevine A majority of women in
Nyamira Township have a passive role in decision making in the community based
agriculture facet. Because they mostly are not owners of any capital assets such as land, they
relied on the men in their lives to make pertinent decisions such as the type of value chain to
engage in, the management of income earned and the access to credit facilities. From the
findings, the study recommended; a more deliberate and organized pattern of information
dissemination on the ASDSP program me to be sought so that farmers are able to share good
practices both within and without their groups and information technology to be embraced. It
was considered imperative to have frequent needs assessment exercises so as to be able to
proactively and more often address the resource gaps facing the various groups thereby
enhancing the capacity of the women engaging in community based agriculture. In addition,
socio cultural practices baring women from successfully engaging in community-based
agriculture should be eliminated empowering the women to have a saving culture and
embracing asset acquisition attitude. This will make more women capital assets holders hence
will be able to access credit services thereby leading to a positive improvement in their socio
economic status. Additionally, the girl child should be encouraged to pursue higher education
to enable her to be a decision maker by her own right.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5981]
The following license files are associated with this item: