Adoption of Modern Farm Practices among Rural Women for Sustainable Livelihood in Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State

Abstract

This study examined the adoption of modern farm practices among rural women in Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State to promote sustainable livelihood. The study was guided by three objectives and research questions. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, with a population of all rural women in the area. A multi-stage sampling technique selected 213 respondents, comprising 192 rural women and 21 extension officers. A self-structured questionnaire with a 4-point rating scale was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by two experts and had a reliability index of 0.77. Data analysis used mean and standard deviation, with a benchmark mean value of ≥ 2.50. Findings revealed that adopting modern farm practices such as vertical farming, irrigation technology, and hybrid seeds enabled rural women to optimize soil and water use, overcome limited arable land, reduce environmental impact, increase crop yield, and produce nutrient-rich crops. These practices also helped rural women gain surplus, combat pests and diseases, and maintain yield under climate challenges. The study recommends awareness and training programs to develop rural women's skills in vertical farming, exposure to indigenous irrigation systems for all-season food production, and dissemination of agricultural information on high-yielding crop varieties to encourage adoption.