Author(s): Iniobong Aniefiok AKPABIO
For the numerous and diverse local organisations in Nigeria’s rural areas to effectively participate in agricultural and rural development programmes, they have to be better organised and empowered through active and broad based membership participation. The study attempted to identify significant predictors of level of social capital in the farmers’ l organisations (FOs) operating in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. Results derived from 225 members of 15 FOs reveal that 7 factors significantly predicted the level of social participation, viz: status of respondent, age of respondent, ages of respondents’ children, number of years of FO affiliation, multiple group membership, mode of generation of funds for FO activities and relationship of FO member with information source for affiliation. Status and age of respondents; however contributed about 65% of the variations in level of social participation. Recommendations have been proffered for the development of member – driven FOs. These include the necessity to encourage FO leadership to be more proactive in new membership recruitment activities and to emphasize on innovative measures to economically empower FO affiliates, for more active inputs into FO operations.
The Journal of International Social Research received 7760 citations as per Google Scholar report
