Motivational Factors for Farm Scale Expansion Among Female Farm Managers in Niger State, Nigeria

Women in agriculture have historically been constrained by the complex interplay of societal norms, culture, and economic factors. Motivating women as farm managers is crucial for their livelihoods and food security. This research addresses the persistently low representation of female farm managers and explores the motivating factors that could enhance the participation and productivity of existing female farm managers, while also inspiring younger women. A total of 154 female farmers engaged in crop production, fish farming, and livestock management, were interviewed using structured questionnaires. Motivating factors were examined using the Likert scale, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Principal Component Regression (PCR) to identify significant influences on farm scale. The results indicated that female farmers were more intrinsically motivated than externally. From 20 motivational statements, the PCA identified six principal components: sociability, family and community support, subsistence, recognition, government programs, and association support. The PCR results confirmed that age, education, and sociability were significant and positively motivating factors, while off-farm jobs, subsistence systems, and farmers’ associations had negative influences. The research advocates for community-based agricultural training programs that emphasize the intrinsic motivation of women. Furthermore, crop and livestock farmers require targeted interventions in capital and pest-disease management techniques, while fish farmers need improved access to inputs.