Project Abstract

Abstract
Rural women farmers play a significant role in the economic development of many countries around the world. Despite facing numerous challenges such as limited access to resources, lack of education and training, and cultural barriers, these women contribute substantially to agricultural production and food security. This paper examines the various ways in which rural women farmers impact economic development, both at the household and community levels. One of the key contributions of rural women farmers to economic development is through their participation in agricultural activities. These women are actively involved in crop cultivation, livestock rearing, and other farming activities, which not only provide food for their families but also generate income through the sale of surplus produce. Additionally, rural women farmers often engage in value-added activities such as processing and marketing agricultural products, further contributing to the local economy. Moreover, the labor provided by rural women farmers is essential for the functioning of agricultural systems. These women work long hours in the fields, tending to crops and livestock, and performing various tasks critical to agricultural production. Their labor input not only sustains agricultural productivity but also supports the livelihoods of their families and communities. Furthermore, rural women farmers play a crucial role in ensuring food security, particularly in rural areas. By producing food for their families and communities, these women help mitigate the risk of food shortages and hunger. Their knowledge of local agricultural practices and resilience in the face of environmental challenges make them key actors in maintaining food security at the grassroots level. Additionally, rural women farmers often serve as custodians of traditional knowledge related to agriculture and natural resource management. Their expertise in sustainable farming practices, seed saving, and water conservation is invaluable for building resilient agricultural systems in the face of climate change and other environmental threats. In conclusion, rural women farmers make significant contributions to economic development through their active participation in agricultural activities, labor input, food production, and preservation of traditional knowledge. Recognizing and supporting the role of these women is essential for promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth in rural areas. Policymakers and development practitioners should prioritize initiatives that empower rural women farmers, improve their access to resources and markets, and enhance their role in decision-making processes related to agriculture and rural development.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Women in Ese-Odo Local Government Area in Ondo State inspite of their daily roles to improve the existing standard are being looked down upon by their male counterpart as playing the second fiddle. A review of feminist literature indicate that there is now a demand for re-orientation of research and changes in methodological procedures used for complication of national income. There are at least three stands to this firstly; there is the issue that a considerable portion of women’s labour is not reflection in Ese-Odo Local Government statistics. This is a phenomenon due to the fact that the labour of the house wife is not traded and valued at market prices.

Secondly, there is the formal versus informal sector issue. On a world wide basis, but more so in the developing countries of the world women constitute the greater percentage of the informal sector labour forces. Thirdly, there is the rural-urban dichotomy more of ten than not, women are left behind when there is male migration from rural to urban areas. These three issues are mutually self explanatory as women get left behind in the rural areas. They have limited opportunities for self improvement. They are therefore suitable mainly informal sector employment. Their labour as house wives, house maids etc is not accurately affected in nation statistics. Another relevant issue is that where women are in selection for religions or social reasons, enumerators who are more often men cannot meet the women to accurately appraise their labour input.

PURPOSE OF STUDY

The objective of this paper is therefore to highlight the role of women in economic development of Ese-Odo Local Government Area in Ondo State with view to identifying attendant problem and suggesting possible solution.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The basic premise of this essay is that the non involvement or marginalization of women in development programmes is wasteful and impedes effective economic development. Its effect is similar to inadequate use of factor of production in agriculture which means that the production possibilities curve is lower than it should be on the basis of this premise, the problem associated with the involvement of women in the economic development of Ondo State and strategies of solving these problems are discussed.

SCOPE OF STUDY AND LIMITATION

The study focuses on economic development of rural women farmers in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State. Ondo State is made up of local government area. As a result of time and financial constrains book on social studies and geography of Ondo State which relate to economic contribution of women in Ondo State are consulted. Questionnaires are written, to take a random sampling of economic contribution of women in Ese Odo Local Government Area in Ondo State.

HYPOTHESIS

H1: Rural women farmers have significant economic contribution to the economic development of Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

ORGANIZATION OF WORK

The entire work I this project is divided into five chapters, chapter one is introduction, while chapter two review the literature of economic development, chapter three contain the methodological approach of the role of women in economic development in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State and the finding of what role women played which are not identified as economic development chapter four is discussion, while the last chapter of this project gives the summary of findings, conclusion and policy recommendations.