Constraints to sustainable livelihood of women farmers and fishers in rural areas in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria
Description
The research showed the constraints faced by rural women of the Ijaw ethnic extraction engaged in farming and fishing in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. These constraints were identified as critical impediments to traditional livelihood sustainability in the area. The primary constraints faced by fishers are pollution of the rivers from crude oil spills, limited access to funds and extension services, and insecurity from raids along the creeks by sea pirates/ robbers. The farmers were faced with inadequate funds, land, and extension services. The SPSS file uploaded here contains collated data from semi-structured interview schedules administered to farmers and fishers in the study area. Most of the variables are labeled except for multiple response variables. These multiple response variables were given separate columns for each answer option or response and uniform prefixes to responses from the same group. The multiple response variables are numeric. They include 1 representing checked option and 0 representing unchecked option, and blank for missing values. The first multiple-response variable is on constraints that impede the women from ascertaining expected output. They include Constrain_oilspill (crude oil spill in rivers), Constrain_weather (frequent and intense rain), Constrain_land (inadequate farmland or fish pond sites for fishers), Constrain_plantgrowth (poor plant growth from soil infertility, pests, and plant diseases), Constrain_old_poorhealth (old age and poor health), etc. The second is on the source of extension information. They include Extension_info_source_ExtAgents (extension agents), Extension_info_source_Media (internet, radio, television, etc.), Extension_info_source_Community_group (other groups aside cooperatives cultural dance, age grades or religious groups), etc. The third is on sources of capital to fund their farming or fishing operations. They include Capital_Source_Self (personal savings), Capital_Source_Private_loans (loans from private individuals), etc. The fourth concern factors hindering them from expanding their operations and increasing production. They include Expansion_constrain_time ( no free time), Expansion_constrain_insecurity (sea pirates/robbers), Expansion_constrain_support (inadequate free labour from family and friends), etc. The fifth one is on the title held on Farmlands for farmers only. They include Title_0n_Land_Collateral (land held as collateral for the loan given), Title_0n_Land_Patrilineal_link (land allocated annually to wives and daughters of the community), etc. The sixth and final one is on assets they would like to acquire if given the opportunity. They include AssetsDesired_Aquaculture_fishfarming (setup aquaculture business or fish farms), AssetsDesired_Other_Tools_Inputs_safetyGears (tools like fishing nets, baskets, inputs like fertilizers, herbicide, seedlings), AssetsDesired_NonAgric_Business (hair salon, restaurants), etc.