Analysis Of The Determinants Of Women Rice Farmers’ Market Participation In Kano State, Nigeria

The study assessed the determinants of women rice farmers’ market participation in Kano state, Nigeria. A multi-sample technique was used to collect data from 201 smallholder women rice farmers using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, double hurdle model, and the crop commercialization index were used to analyse collected data. The results findings shows that the women rice farmers are in their youthful age (average 33 years), have an average household size of 6 members, educated (72%) and experienced in farming, and belong to farmers associations. The commercialization level of the small holder women rice farmers in the study area was 43.99%, indicating a moderate market participation rate. Factors that significantly impacted smallholder women rice farmers’ decision to participate in markets were household size, educational attainment, farming experience, access to credit, and the prevailing price of rice output. Meanwhile, the extent of their participation was positively influenced by non-farm income and price and farm size. However, access to credit, farm size and market information negatively influenced extends of their market participation. It is therefore concluded that the women rice farmers were small-scale producers whose market participation was mostly limited to nearby rural markets. It is recommended that the women rice farmers be supported to participate in high-value markets and that their capacities be built in rice value addition to enable them to produce rice products for urban and global markets, thereby maximizing their profits and market scope.