Abstract:
This study investigates determinants of the level of women participation in urban agriculture
in Wolaita Soddo town. The study sampled 204 women respondents who have selected based
on multi-stage sampling technique. The researcher employed with structured questionnaire
in order to collect data from the participants. The study use econometrics and descriptive
method of analysis. Tobit model is used to examine the determinants of level of women
participation in urban agriculture, and also used descriptive method of analysis in order to
measure and identify the extent of women participation in urban agriculture. The Tobit
model result shows that age is negatively and significantly affect their participation, on the
other hand the factors such as dependency ratio, having credit, extension worker contact,
land ownership, neighbor influence, farm experience, and access to improve seed are
positively and significantly affect the level of women participation in urban agriculture.
From the descriptive method of analysis result 22% of women in the study area participate in
urban agriculture and their extent of participation is on average 34.3% which is
approximately constitutes; only 26.9% in crop production, only 25% in livestock, and 51.1%
in both(crop and livestock) activities. Participant women averagely get an income of 557
birr/month from crop production, 3250 birr/month from livestock rearing, and 3392
birr/month from both(crop and livestock). This imply that based on the finding that
government and non-government organization should pay due attention to create ample
platform to allow women to participate in urban agriculture, wider community sensitization
and awareness creation on the importance of urban agriculture for livelihood and economic
security should be undergone and finally, policy makers have to give attention for
agricultural activities not only in rural but also in urban area with gender sensitive
approach.
