Improving Women Farmers Capacity in Agricultural Production in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State through Communication and Empowerment.

Abstract

Agriculture is the livewire of every nation and any nation that does not support the empowerment of women farmers to engage in commercialise farming is invariably short changing itself. The reason for this assertion is that from time immemorial, women folks have constituted a vast percentage of work to the sector howbeit at subsistent levels. Allowing the status quo to thrive is however considered inimical to productivity in agriculture, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where the issue of food security is yet to be properly addressed. The realisation of the need to empower women farmers is beginning to attract attention in different quarters and has led development agencies and government to initiate measure towards impacting women especially in developing countries of which Nigeria is a part. One of the interventions is through communication. This paper examined how communication improves and empowers women farmers in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Three districts were randomly chosen which included: Tambuwal district, Sanyinna district and Dogon Daji district. A total of 294 copies of the questionnaire were distributed to women farmers in the three (3) districts and 289 copies were dully filled and returned. Data was analysed using simple percentages and charts. Findings revealed that information on agriculture was acquired from radio programmes, agriculture extension officers from Sokoto state ministry of agriculture and from internal interactions amongst themselves. Sustainability and Empowerment Communication Theory was deployed. The study further revealed that information acquired from these channels of communication enable women farmers in Tambuwal local government to improve their cultural practices, which further motivates productivity and empowerment. Hence, it was recommended that priority attention should be given to communicating vital information on agriculture which would enhance the capabilities of women farmers in Tambuwal Local Government of Sokoto state, Nigeria.