1Anaylysis of the Production Decisions of Female Livestock Producers in Makurdi Local Government Area, Benue State: Implications for Agricultural Development

The production goals and decisions of 150 urbanfemale livestock producers were investigated. A 35-item questionnaire was developed to collect data relevant to the study. Specific objectives were to determine: 1) characteristics offemale livestock producers in the area; 2) production goals of female livestock producers; 3) factors that influence the production decisions of the respondents; 4) differences in production goals and decisions among the respondents on the basis of selected socioeconomic variables. Results indicated that: majority (39.33%) were aged 35-44 years; 69.33 percent were married; 50 percent were petty businesswomen. Other major results included the following: the bulk (48%) of the respondents produced livestock for profit; husbands and other relatives made production decisionsfor 35.33 percent. In order to test the statistical significance of the difference in production goals and decisions among the respondents on the basis of selected socioeconomic variables, a chi-square was computed. Age, marital status, education and primary occupation were used as independent variables. Aggregate scores for goal and decision items constituted the dependent variable. It was revealed that majority of the women in the sample raised livestockfor profit. In addition, most respondents made production decisions independent of their husband or other family member. Production goals were significantly influenced by age (p<.02) and education (p<.001). Production decisions were significantly influenced by marital status and primary occupation at P<.001. Implications of the resultsfor agricultural development were identified and discussed. It was concluded that the contribution offemale livestock producers is a significant factor in agricultural development.