Role of extension services in the livelihoods of pastoralist women in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study aims to show that extension can play significant role in equipping pastoralist women with knowledge and technology required so as to reduce pastoralist women’s vulnerability and attainment of their desired level of economic empowerment. Most importantly, this study investigates the models being used by extension service providers to determine whether pastoralist women in this study adequately benefit or access extension services. To achieve this, the study draws on the questionnaire which was administered to 63 pastoralist women and focus group discussions which was carried out with 88 wives of pastoralists in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study found that pastoralist women face cultural barriers that deter them from accessing productive resources, live in marginalised areas and lack access to extension services as a result. It was observed the women are not willing to diversify into non-cattle related economic chores. The study therefore recommends employment of more female extension personnel so as to reach out to pastoralist’ women particularly in areas where factors such as culture bar them from benefiting from productive resources and services such as extension