ASSESSMENT OF FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF RURAL WOMEN IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT: THE CASE IN SODODACHI WOREDA OF OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The study was designed to assess the factors affectingrural women contribution in Agricultural development in SodoDachiWoreda of Oromia National Regional State. The research applied quantitative research method where120 women were selected as sample respondents by using simple random sampling techniques. Triangulation method was applied in data collection, data presentation and analysis of findings. Study findings revealed that though women have significant contribution in agricultural activitiesthey were less involved in final decision making concerning major agricultural issues. Thefinding also identified the major factors affected women’scontribution / participation in agricultural development. Poor access to Agricultural extension service, lack of ownership and control over productive resources, lack of credit facilities, illiteracy, low social status of women and overburden responsibilities of women in household chores were the major constraints to women participation in agricultural development. This study forwarded recommendation to women constraints in order to ensure women’s equal access to and control over economic productive resource, to address women special needs, to empower and increase their participation both in agricultural production and sharing of the benefit from what they produced.