Analysis of Women’s Participation in Farm Decision-Making in Benue State

Gender dynamics in farm decision-making significantly influence how agricultural resources are allocated, managed, and converted into income within rural households. In Benue State, in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone, farming is a shared household activity, yet the extent and nature of women's participation in key management decisions require systematic documentation. This study analyses the nature and level of women's participation in farm management decisions in Benue State. Using purposive and random sampling, 130 married women involved in farming were selected from three local government areas. Data on participation in decisions related to crop selection, input purchase, labour hiring, harvest timing, and output marketing were collected through structured questionnaires and validated focus group discussions. A decision-making participation index was computed and ranked across domains. Results indicate that women's participation was highest in decisions related to food crop selection (82 percent) and vegetable marketing (75 percent) and lowest in decisions involving purchased inputs (29 percent) and land acquisition (18 percent). Participation scores were significantly higher among women with secondary education and those contributing financially to household agricultural expenses. Jointly made decisions correlated with higher household food security scores. The study recommends policies that support women's financial independence in rural Benue, including gender-targeted credit products and legal strengthening of women's rights to participate equally in asset and input procurement decisions on jointly managed farms. Keywords: women, farm decision-making, gender, Benue State, agricultural participation