ABSTRACT
Food production, majorly revolves around women who are most times not privileged to have some inputs at their disposal. The use of improved technologies in production no doubt increases food production but women are not empowered to make use of these technologies in Umuahia Agricultural Zone, Abia State. This study therefore, analysed the rural women‟s use of technologies in Women in Agriculture (WIA) programme in Umuahia Agricultural zone of Abia State. Data were collected with structured and validated questionnaire from 247 women involved in Women in Agriculture (WIA) programme in Umuahia Agricultural zone of Abia State. These data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, percentages, Likerttype rating, frequency distributions, mean scores, as well as ordinary least square multiple regression techniques. Results of the study showed that these women had their major occupation as farming. They were primarily married women with average number of ten (10) years in school. Majority of them were aware of Women in Agriculture and their technologies and had accepted them except use of herbicides, yam minisetts and market information probably because this technologies were not compatible with their local practices. Cost of herbicides could also be responsible for the low use. Sources of information were primarily WIA officials/extension agents and women contact farmers. Apart from use of herbicides, yam minissett and yam flour techniques, there was a strong association between the use of all the included on-farm and offfarm techologies in the programme and the sources of information. Inherent factors of the technologies and socio-economic characteristics of the women farmers had direct relationship with the use of technologies except illiteracy, poverty, and age which limited the use of technologies. The study strongly recommends the concentration of efforts on educated younger married women who are full-time farmers as these ones are still energetic and can also read and xiv apply the innovations. This is not to say that older ones should be neglected. The Women in Agriculture should concentrate more efforts on the use of social organizations, co-operative societies and town unions for information dissemination. Awareness should be increased on all the technologies. Transferred technologies should be closely monitored. Also incentives should be introduced on unaccepted technologies. Compatibility of technologies with societal norms, beliefs and practices should be considered in introducing technologies. Women social organizations should introduce esusu (small scale contribution scheme). This will afford the members the opportunity of raising small capital on their own and acquiring small loans when needed. They should also adopt the strategies of group acquisition of inputs as well as lands. Also regular invitation of WIA officials /extension agents for group teachings on innovations should be practiced.
