DETERMINANTS OF WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN FOOD CROP MARKETING IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

This study has it objectives as to describe the types of crops marketed by the women; to determine the factors that influence women participation in marketing of food crops in the study area and make recommendations based on the findings. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed in the study. First, two Local Government Areas were selected from each of the three agricultural zones, this was followed by the random selection of twenty respondents from the selected Local Government Areas, bringing the total number of respondents to a hundred and twenty. Descriptive statistics and the probit model were used in analyzing the data collected from a set of questionnaire administered on the respondents selected. The results of the analysis showed that cassava, maize, water yam, sweet potatoes and cocoyam were the major food crops marketed by the women. The probit results indicate that age, experience, output, source of capital and source of labour were significant at different probability levels and with different signs. The study recommended that sources of income whether formal or informal sources should be made more accessible to women, amongst other things.