EFFECT OF NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND RESEARCH LIAISON SERVICES ADOPTED VILLAGE ACTIVITIES ON LIVELIHOOD OF WOMEN IN ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

The NAERLS established the adopted village scheme within 20km distance from the head office that served as laboratories for showcasing agricultural technologies developed by research institutes. Sustainable agricultural development cannot be fully achieved without the integration of women in developmental processes. Using 136 adopted village women in Zaria, this study assessed the effect of NAERLS adopted village activities on livelihood of women. Multi-stage sampling was used to select the women for the study. Structured interview schedule was used to obtain data from the sample population. Analysis of socio-economic characteristics showed that the mean age of the respondents was 40, majority (72%) of the women were married, only 48.5% have senior secondary certificate, 33.8% of the respondents get occasional visits from NAERLS adopted village facilitators. It was found that there has been not much participation in the activities of adopted village in the past one year.  Most of the respondents agree that NAERLS adopted village activities have been effective on their livelihood through increase in their annual income and improved crop harvest from their farms. Various constraints on participation of women in the adopted village activities were identified of which inability to leave their children unattended was the most encountered among the respondents. It can be said conclusively that the NAERLS adopted village activities had effect on livelihood of women in the study area. Government should provide more funding to strengthen the NAERLS adopted village project for it to effectively cater to the needs of women in the adopted villages.