Analysis of Off-Farm Income Generating Skill Needs of Rural Women for Poverty Reduction in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the off-farm income generating skills needs of rural women for poverty reduction in Cross River State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to examine: the relationship between hairdressing skills and poverty reduction among rural women, relationship between fashion design skills, catering skills and craft making skills and poverty reduction among rural women. The study analyzed four null hypotheses, the population of the study comprised 2892 rural women, while the sample consisted of 390 respondents, selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire, administered by the researchers. Data analysis was done using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. The results of analysis revealed a significant relationship between hairdressing skills (0.614), fashion design skills (r=0.62), catering skills (r=0.742) and craft making skills (r=0.671) and poverty reduction among rural women in Cross River State. The study found that all these skills contribute to the reduction of poverty among rural women. The study concluded that off-farm income generating skills are very critical to poverty reduction interventions and rural women should be encouraged to participate in initiatives to the acquisition of these skills. It was recommended that government should partner with the organized private sector to establish vocational skills acquisition facilities in rural areas, provide incentives in form of grants or credit facilities to enable rural women establish and manage their own businesses and provide sewing machines, hairdressing equipment and power sources to rural women who have the requisite skills.