WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN CROP PRODUCTION DECISION MAKING IN MISRAK BADEWACHO WOREDA, HADIYYA ZONE, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study set out to analyze the women participation in crop production decision making in Misrak Badewacho Woreda, Hadiya Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. The aim of the study was based on two objectives. First, to assess the level of women's participation in crop production decision-making activities at the intrahousehold level and Second,to identify factors influencing women’s participation in crop production decision making. A random sampling method was used to select 120 sample respondents for this study. The pre-tested structured interview schedule was used to collect primary data. Key informant interviews and focused group discussions were also used to gather necessary qualitative data. The study employed simple descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (such as frequency, percentage, and chi-square test) and an econometric model (ordered logit model). The ordered logit model analysis result revealed that age, education, contact with extension agents, participation in community affairs and participation in agricultural training programs have significant and positive influence on women participation in crop production decision making, where as family size has significant and negative influence on rural women participation in the study area at different significant levels. The main identified women constraints are workload and time shortage, lack of practical training, lack of awareness, male dominance and cultural influences. Therefore, Improving participation of women farmers in various areas of agricultural training programs, involvement in different communal affairs, improved literacy rate, creating strong linkage with extension contacts is the best option for empowering women for better participation in crop production decision-making