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EFFECTS OF SELECTED SOCIO-CULTURAL PRACTICES ON WOMEN IN FOOD PRODUCTION IN GUMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Peter G. Kughur, Iorfa Anonguku, Patience I. Omale

Abstract


Despite modernization, acceptance of scientific reasoning and advancement in technology, the Nigerian culture has a firm hold on peoples’ behaviour, attitude and practices even in this 21stcentury and the negative aspects continue to impact on the lives of women. The study examined the effects of selected socio-cultural practices on women involved in food production in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Total of 100 women farmers were selected as study sample using cross sectional design. Primary and secondary data were collected; primary data were collected with the use of structured questionnaire administered through interview while secondary data were collected from documents, journals, proceedings and periodicals. Descriptive statistics was used to make the data meaningful.  Results revealed that 50% had problem of gender discrimination concerning land acquisition, 46% produce between 1100-2000 kg of farm produce, 97% of the women farmers performed virtually all the farm activities involved in food production, 79% needed farm inputs, 42% of the respondents were of the opinion that winnowing is one of the agricultural activities that is specifically meant for women and 81% of the respondents were constrained by agricultural support services. It is recommended that cultural and religious barriers prohibiting women’s access to land should cease to exist so that women could own their personal farm land and agricultural support services should directed towards women.


Keywords


Effects, selected socio-cultural, practices, women, food production

References


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Copyright (c) 2014 Peter G. Kughur, Iorfa Anonguku, Patience I. Omale

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