Factors Limiting Rural Women Participation in Dairy Value Chain Activities in Zaria Local Government, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract— This research aimed to evaluate the factors limiting rural women participation in dairy value chain activities in Zaria LGA of Kaduna State. Using a multi-stage sampling approach, 250 rural women were selected. Primary data were collected and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics to meet the research objectives. The findings indicated that the average ages of women who took part in the activity and the age of those who didn't was 39.2 and 42.1, respectively. Participants in the dairy value chain tend to have more years of experience compared to non-participants. with an average of 15.6 years, while non-participants had an average of 10.7 years. Additionally, the majority—60.0% of participants and 25.0% of non-participants were members of cooperatives. Logit regression analysis identified educational level, farm size, and cooperative membership were significant at the 5% level, while contact with extension agents was significant at the 1% level, whereas, marital status and access to credit were significant at 10% level. In terms of perceptions, women generally held positive views regarding their participation in the dairy value chain. Most perception statements received mean scores of 2.5 or above. For instance, the perception that dairy farming has improved their income (3.00), the belief that participation had enhanced their skills (3.08) and their family’s nutrition has improved due to dairy farming (3.00). The respondents' main challenges include limited access to credit (75.2%), lack of technical knowledge (66.0%), time constraints due to household responsibilities (60.8%) and limited access to markets (50.8%). Based on these findings, recommendations were made that financial institutions and government programs should develop tailored credit facilities that address the specific needs of rural women in the dairy value chain.