AN EXAMINATION OF THE SOCIAL- ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS INFLUENCING WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURE ACTIVITIES: CONSTRAINTS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

This study investigates the socio-economic determinants influencing women’s participation in agricultural activities, with a focus on distinguishing between full and partial engagement. Using binary logistic regression on survey data from 300 female respondents, the research identifies key predictors of the intensity of women’s involvement in farming. Findings reveal that being a paid farm worker (OR = 6.31), participation in cropping (OR = 3.55), livestock involvement (OR = 1.55), older age (OR = 2.11), and specific occupational roles significantly increase the likelihood of full participation. Surprisingly, better health standards were associated with reduced odds of full participation (OR = 0.137), suggesting complex intra-household labor dynamics or unobserved confounding factors. Variables such as marital status, family type, household size, and education showed no statistically significant effects. The model demonstrates strong explanatory power (Nagelkerke R² = 0.782) and high classification accuracy (89.7%), confirming the robustness of the identified determinants. The study underscores that economic recognition, particularly fair compensation, is a critical enabler of deeper agricultural engagement among women. These insights highlight both persistent constraints and actionable opportunities for gender-responsive agricultural policy.