Evaluation of Extension Service Programming Preconditions for Strategic Improvement of Women Involvement in Agro-preneurial Organizations

Abstract

The study was an expo-facto research type that adopted cross sectional survey approach to explore the extension service programming needs as preconditions towards strategic improvement of women involvement in agro-preneurial organizations in Akwa Ibom State. Specifically, the socio-economic characteristics of respondents were identified and the dimensions of preconditions for strategic improvement of women involvement in agro-preneurial organizations were ascertained. The study adopted multi-stage sampling procedure to select 288 women for the administration of questionnaire. The data were subjected to descriptive statistics, factor analysis and relative rank order of severity incidence analysis. Based on the outcome of the descriptive analyses the study revealed that respondents within the age bracket of 37-43 were majority (33.3%) and most of them were married (46.9%). At least 38.2% were able to obtain basic formal education spending between 6-12 years, majority have a family size of 1-5 persons, while 30.2% engage in crop farming and 47% were not involved in cooperative activities. Result of the factor analysis highlighted three major factors that constraints women involvement in agro entrepreneurial cooperative and these were; low human capital in loans management efficiency, high interest rate and unethical practises, the identified preconditions for strategic improvement of women in agro-preneurial organisation showed various likely magnitude of change that would likely occur should extension theory change be applied in addressing the dysfunctional involvement of women in agro-preneurial organisation. Therefore, the study outcomes provide insights for evidence based theory of change programming for likely sustainable strategic enhancement of women involvement in agro-preneurial organisation by the State agricultural extension agency. Policy towards increasing educational attainment and knowledge in financial literacy should be implemented, as this will impact positively on their managerial competency.