Influence of Social Capital on Income Activities of Rural Women Agripreneurs in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyzed the influence of social capital on income activities of rural women agripreneurs in Imo State, Nigeria. Multi stage sampling technique was adopted in data collection and 200 rural women agripreneurs belonging to social groups. The study employed the primary data which were collected with a structured questionnaire distributed to the respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The respondents indicated strong agreement to the question statements on trust and solidarity (x ?= 3.75), norms and values (x ?= 4.00) and social cohesion and inclusion ( x ?= 3.72). Their income activities consisted mainly of farming and farming related activities with a total income of N478,267.81. Farming alone accounted for the highest source (31.50%) of the households’ average monthly income (N150,653.40). Age (10.0%), marital status (5.0%), educational level (5.0%), size of farmland (5.0%), primary occupation (10.0%), years of social group membership (10.0%) and daily feeding (1.0%) significantly determined their income activities, and social capital significantly had effect on the farm income of the rural women agripreneurs at 1.0% risk level. It was recommended that social group activities should be promoted in the area since the respondents indicated strong interest in them and they equally has strong influence on their income activities.