Prospects and Growth Opportunities of Female-Owned Rural Farm Businesses in Plateau State, Nigeria

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 16 | 02 | Page :
    By

    Abraham Meliga,

  • Monday Tsaku Umbugadu,

  • Isaac Jato,

  1. Research Scholar, Department of Accountin, Federal Polytechnic N’yak Shandam Plateau State, , Nigeria
  2. Research Scholar, Department of Accountin, Federal Polytechnic N’yak Shandam Plateau State, , Nigeria
  3. Research Scholar, Department of Accountin, Federal Polytechnic N’yak Shandam Plateau State, , Nigeria

Abstract

The potential and growth chances of female-owned rural agricultural companies in Nigeria’s Plateau State were investigated in this study. The objectives were to assess the prospects and opportunities available to female-owned rural farm businesses and to determine their effect on business growth and development across the state. The study covered female farm business owners engaged in crop production, livestock farming, mixed farming, and agro- processing across all 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State. Using the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory as a guide, a quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used. 510 respondents who were chosen using a mix of basic random, purposive, and snowball sampling procedures were given structured questionnaires. Multiple regression analysis and descriptive statistics were used to examine the data using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0. The findings revealed that the sampled population comprised predominantly young, moderately educated, and experienced women operating smallholder farms. Government programmes, cooperative membership, technology access, income diversification, and training all recorded moderate positive perceptions among respondents, though widespread neutral responses indicated that available opportunities had not been fully utilised. Regression analysis confirmed that prospects and opportunities significantly and positively influenced the growth of female-owned rural farm businesses (Beta = 0.319, t = 7.579, p = 0.000), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. It was recommended that targeted input subsidies, collateral-free credit facilities, expanded cooperative registration, and continuous community-based training in financial literacy and farm management be prioritised to fully unlock the growth potential of female- owned rural farm businesses across Plateau State.

Keywords: Female-Owned Rural Farm Businesses, Prospects, Growth Opportunities, Resource-Based View (RBV) Theory, Agricultural Growth.

How to cite this article:
Abraham Meliga, Monday Tsaku Umbugadu, Isaac Jato. Prospects and Growth Opportunities of Female-Owned Rural Farm Businesses in Plateau State, Nigeria. Journal of Energy, Environment & Carbon Credits. 2026; 16(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
Abraham Meliga, Monday Tsaku Umbugadu, Isaac Jato. Prospects and Growth Opportunities of Female-Owned Rural Farm Businesses in Plateau State, Nigeria. Journal of Energy, Environment & Carbon Credits. 2026; 16(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/joeecc/article=2026/view=247702


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Ahead of Print Subscription Review Article
Volume 16
02
Received 19/06/2026
Accepted 25/06/2026
Published 26/06/2026
Publication Time 7 Days
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