Socioeconomic Analysis of Women’s Involvement in Agro-Processing and Its Effect on Household Welfare in Bauchi State, North East Nigeria

Women's engagement in agro-processing activities represents a significant pathway for income generation and welfare improvement in rural households in northern Nigeria. In Bauchi State, women have historically been active in processing groundnuts, shea, locust bean, and other commodities, yet the welfare effects of this engagement have not been systematically quantified. This study conducted a socioeconomic analysis of women's involvement in agro-processing and its effect on household welfare in Bauchi State using data from 215 women from four local government areas. Treatment effects regression was applied to estimate the causal effect of agro-processing participation on welfare, measured by per capita food expenditure, dietary diversity, and children's education enrolment rates. Results showed that women engaged in agro-processing had per capita food expenditure 21 percent higher than non-participants and significantly better dietary diversity and children's education outcomes. Income control within the household was a significant mediating variable, with women retaining greater control of agro-processing income than general household income. Processing equipment access limitations and seasonal raw material supply constraints were the primary enterprise barriers. The study recommends investing in equipment access schemes for women agro-processors in Bauchi State and integrating agro-processing business development services into rural women's group programming. Keywords: women, agro-processing, household welfare, Bauchi State, dietary diversity.