Comparative assessment of Rural Women poverty status in Suleja and Gurara Local Government Areas of Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Poverty is pervasive in rural areas of Niger State. Women living in rural households are more vulnerable to poverty than men. Thus, this study seeks to assess rural women farmers’ poverty status in Suleja and Gurara local government areas (LGAs) of Niger state, Nigeria. Interview schedules complimented with a questionnaire were used to obtain information from a total of 142 respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) and Probit regression models. The results revealed that majority of the women were married (70.0%) and (78.5%) at mean ages of 38 and 40 years respectively. The result also showed that 85.7% and 93.7% of the women farmers identified processing of farm produce as their major source of farm income in Suleja and Gurara LGAs respectively. FGT analysis showed that 41% and 24%, of women in Suleja and Gurara LGAs of the State were poor at a Poverty line of ₦19,102.29 and ₦19,931.08 per month, respectively. The Probit regression results revealed that age, marital status, level of education, farming experience, number of extension visits, farm income and access to credit were the major factors influencing poverty among the rural women of Suleja and Gurara LGAs of Niger State. The study concluded that there was a higher level of poverty among the rural women farmers of Gurara compared to Suleja LGA, hence efforts should be made to diversify the livelihood portfolios of rural women in the study areas to enhance sustainability through the various women empowerment programs, extension services and credit facilities.