Research Article

Strengthening Rural Women in Anbar Province: Assessing the Influence of Small-Scale Agricultural Initiatives

Adnan I Khamis1, Jasim Mohammed Saleh2*, Najwa Ali3 and Anwer T Gaffoori2

1College of Energy and Environmental sciences, Al-Karkh University of Science, Iraq; 2Biotechnology and Environmental Center, University of Fallujah, Iraq; 3Scientific Affairs.University of Baghdad, Iraq.

Received | April 15, 2023; Accepted | November 23, 2023; Published | December 21, 2023

*Correspondence | Jasim Mohammed Saleh, University of Fallujah, Iraq; Email: [email protected]

Citation | Khamis, A.I., J.M. Saleh, N. Ali and A.T. Gaffoori. 2024. Strengthening rural women in Anbar province: Assessing the influence of small-scale agricultural initiatives. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research, 37(1): 1-12.

DOI | https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjar/2024/37.1.1.12

Keywords | Small agricultural projects, Rural women, Economic capabilities, Skills capabilities, Social capabilities

Copyright: 2024 by the authors. Licensee ResearchersLinks Ltd, England, UK.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Introduction

There is no doubt that women in all societies in general and Iraqi society, in particular, represent half of society, and therefore cannot be neglected and the power of their influence in the development and stability of life in its various fields cannot be neglected (Abu-Zeid et al., 2020), and God Almighty has honored women That she is the firstborn to come out of human beings as the Almighty said in His Holy Book (O people, I fear your Lord who shaved you from a single soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from it many men and women (The Holy Quran).

Rural women play a prominent role in the lives of the poor in the world as the main source of food production, processing, preparation, and marketing, as well as taking care of children and managing the house. Therefore, the art of empowering women and developing their capabilities is one of the basic principles for achieving economic and social development (Al-Touma et al., 2020). It is mentioned (Mahal, 2022) that one of the most important reasons for the development and progress of societies is their optimal investment of energies and human resources of both sexes, as they represent the main axis of development, through building the capabilities of the people and developing their skills to employ them in the production process, (Al-Abbadi, 2017) indicates that rural women in Iraq have an important role in the agricultural production process through their participation with men in agricultural activities such as crop cultivation, animal husbandry, food processing, preservation, and marketing, as well as their practice of craft work such as knitting, sewing, and wool-spinning, which secures additional income for the family to improve the standard of living. Living. On this basis, rural women are key to achieving sustainable rural development. However, rural women in Iraq suffer from various life problems in their rural environment, and they are more impactful than the problems that urban women suffer from, the report (Ministry of Planning, 2019) confirms that despite the diverse roles that rural women contribute to in the economic, social and administrative fields, they suffer from ill-treatment and work for low wages in light of weak social protection. In most cases, they are denied ownership of land, loan services, and business.

Alfeel and Ansari ( 20١٩) mentions that rural women in Iraqi society, which is characterized by political, economic, and social instability, have gone through harsh conditions and their suffering has increased, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic, social, and health crises, In addition to the wars and their catastrophic effects that greatly affected all aspects of life, these crises left a significant increase in the unemployment rate, the spread of the phenomenon of poverty, and the spread of the phenomenon of crime and violence, which greatly affected their contribution to all aspects of life (Tohma, 2021), and for the purpose to remedy and address these crises, governmental and other international organizations have begun to contribute to reviving the economic situation of society members in general and rural women in particular by activating the private sector and providing support for small projects to restore the economic infrastructure. Therefore, the Iraqi government has sought to develop a strategy for the year (2018-2020), To address the situation of poverty, which focused on enhancing the participation of rural women in the labor market, facilitating their access to financial resources, and providing social and legal services (Aref and Qasim, 2015), and the agricultural projects development fund for the children of Iraq was established, as the fund aims to grant farmers from both sexes receive soft loans to implement their agricultural projects. On the other hand, the International Organization for Migration has had a major role in addressing poverty and unemployment through its contribution to providing financial support, The Youth Enterprise Development Fund (EDF) managed by the International Organization for Migration is an innovative approach to contribute to achieving economic recovery and stimulating the private sector in Iraq by providing support for small and medium enterprises, as well as some non-governmental organizations, including the US Agency for International Development, in providing support Material and informational and training young people to manage productive projects (Mahdi, 20٢١).

Small agricultural projects play an important role in achieving economic recovery in the countries of the world, as they constitute a large proportion of agricultural projects, and contribute to providing job opportunities for large numbers of manpower, in addition to their widespread in villages and rural areas. Therefore, they are considered the cornerstone of the agricultural economic development process. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) defines small projects as those projects that are managed by one owner who takes full responsibility, and the number of workers in them ranges between 10-50 workers, While the World Bank describes projects in which less than 10 workers work in micro-enterprises, in which between 10 and 50 workers work in small projects (Haddad, 2012), and (Al-Rawi, 2022) indicates that small agricultural projects are important as follows: Self-affirmation, obtaining a stable income, creativity and innovation, and then development and modernization, satisfying the needs of the rural community, covering a large part of the market’s needs, contributing to the preparation of skilled labor for large projects, creating job opportunities for young people, contributing to solving the problem of unemployment, producing and providing local commodities High quality at low costs, creating successful management skills, effective contribution to eradicating poverty, increasing rural income for poor rural families, generating human and financial resources.

Based on the foregoing and due to the lack of recent realistic statistics and studies on the reality of small agricultural projects for rural women and the extent to which they achieve their goals and the determinants that impede their sustainability and stability, the current research came in an attempt to answer the following questions: The extent of the contribution of small agricultural projects to the development and development of the capacities of rural women in the district of Fallujah.

What are the determinants that hinder the success and continuity of these projects?

Objectives of the study

First: To identify the extent to which small agricultural projects contribute to the development and development of the capabilities of rural women in general.

Second: Identifying the extent to which small agricultural projects contribute to developing and developing the capabilities of rural women in the following areas.

Economic capabilities, social capabilities, administrative capabilities, cognitive and skill capabilities, the ability to solve problems, the ability to adapt to the work environment, marketing capabilities, capabilities in the field of excellence and creativity.

Third: Identifying the determinants that impede rural women working in small agricultural projects.

Importance research

1. The research contributes to shedding light on rural women, who represent half of society, both in rural and urban areas, and their contributions to the production process.
2. The importance of the research is embodied in that it deals with the issue of small agricultural projects for rural women and their contribution to providing job opportunities and reducing unemployment.
3. The research contributes to providing a realistic database on rural women and their agricultural projects in the Fallujah district that can be used to take appropriate decisions to develop and support these projects and open new horizons for rural women.
4. The research provides realistic information about the most important problems and obstacles facing agricultural projects for rural women and ways to address them.

Procedural definitions

Small agricultural projects: A small agricultural work project (plant or animal) in which the number of female workers does not exceed 10 people.

Capacity development: A set of behavioral changes in the capabilities, experiences, information, and skills acquired by rural women through the management of their agricultural projects.

The ability to distinguish and be creative: The ability of rural women to develop their agricultural projects and produce high-quality commodities that have competitive power in the markets

The ability to adapt: The ability of rural women to adapt to the changes facing their agricultural projects and to keep up with innovations in the agricultural community

Contribution: educational situations provided by agricultural projects that work to bring about desirable behavioral changes in the abilities, skills, and information of rural women

Materials and Methods

Research methodology

In light of the nature of the research and the objectives it aims to reach, the analytical descriptive approach has been used as it is considered the most appropriate approach, which is concerned with describing the phenomenon in an accurate description and identifying the relationships between research variables, analyzing, interpreting and predicting them through realistic and accurate data and information related to the phenomenon in the light of which results are given (Al-Omrani, 2012).

The study area

The research was conducted in the district of Fallujah, one of the areas that witnessed many changes and its residents are still suffering, as it was described as the least stable area due to the wars and military operations it was subjected to and had a bad impact on all aspects of economic, social and developmental life.

Research community

The research community included all rural women who own small agricultural projects in the district of Fallujah and its affiliated districts within (Al-Rawi, 2022) agricultural divisions, as shown in the following Table 1.

 

Table 1: Distribution of rural women according to the agricultural divisions included in the research sample.

Agricultural division	Number of rural women	No
Fallujah	60	1.
Algarma	43	2.
Alkhairaht	35	3.
Saqlawiyah	46	4.
Amriyat al-Fallujah	51	5.
	235	Total

 

Research plan development

A preliminary outline for the research was prepared and distributed on its objectives in its initial form, through reviewing the literature, reports, and studies related to the subject of the study, as well as taking the opinions of experts and specialists in the field of agricultural extension and conducting field visits and personal interviews with some officials.

The preliminary research plan consisted of two axes. The first axis included areas for developing and developing the capabilities of rural women, which numbered (50) paragraphs distributed over (8) areas, as follows:

• Economic capabilities (6) paragraph
• Developing social capabilities (8) paragraph
• Developing administrative capabilities (7) paragraph
• Developing cognitive and skill capabilities (6) paragraph
• Developing the ability to solve problems (5) paragraph
• Developing the ability to adapt to the work environment (6) paragraph
• Developing marketing capabilities (6) paragraph
• Capacity development in the field of excellence and creativity (6), paragraphs

The second axis represents the problems and obstacles that rural women face in their management of small agricultural projects, with (22) paragraphs distributed over four areas, administrative and technical problems (7) paragraphs, knowledge problems (5) paragraphs, marketing problems (5) paragraphs, financing problems (5) paragraph.

The scheme was presented in its initial form to a group of experts specialized in the field of agricultural extension and agricultural economics and some specialists in extension work, by preparing a questionnaire that included the research axes, fields, and paragraphs to verify the apparent truthfulness and truthfulness of the content, as the experts were asked to indicate the degree of their agreement on each of the fields The nine and each of the (50) paragraphs. In addition, the scale of problems and obstacles facing rural women, these paragraphs were placed under a scale indicating the degree of approval consisting of three phrases (agree, agree with modification, disagree) and a numeric value was set for each statement (1, 2, and 3) degrees, respectively, and by calculating the average degrees of expert approval, all fields and paragraphs obtained an approval rate that ranged from (89%).

After verifying the apparent truthfulness and content of the fields and paragraphs of the research, a questionnaire was prepared to collect study data, and it included two main axes. It hinders work in agricultural projects, as it included four areas (administrative and technical problems, knowledge problems, marketing problems, and financing problems) in (22) paragraphs, paragraphs of both axes were placed under a quadruple scale consisting of the following phrases (I disagree, somewhat agree, agree, and largely agree) and standard weights were given (1, 2, 3, 4) degrees, respectively. Thus, the degree of the scale of the first axis was determined as between (50-200) degrees, as the scale of the problems and obstacles axis, it ranged between (22-88) degrees as the lowest and highest numeric value obtained by the respondents.

A preliminary test of the questionnaire was conducted on a random sample of (20) respondents from outside the research sample, to ensure the stability of the questionnaire, and the stability coefficient was calculated using the split-half method, which had a value of (0.89) degrees, which confirms the validity of the questionnaire for field research. After confirming the apparent validity, content validity, and stability of the questionnaire, data were collected from the research sample of (235) respondents from rural women who own small agricultural projects in the Fallujah district, during the two months (first and second of 2023), and using the SPSS statistical analysis program to analyze data and display the results in the final form.

Research hypothesis

The research proceeds from the following hypothesis: Small agricultural projects contribute significantly to the development of rural women’s capacities (economic, social, administrative, informational and skillful, marketing, problem-solving, communication with technology sources, adapting to the environment, creativity, and excellence).

Results and Discussion

To identify the contribution of small agricultural projects to the development and development of rural women’s capacities

The results showed that the respondents’ scores ranged between (104.24-191.89) degrees, with an average of (155.74) degrees and a standard deviation of (2.83) degrees, according to a scale for the role of small agricultural projects in developing the capabilities of rural women, whose degree was determined between (50-200) degrees.

The data presented in Table 2 showed that (86%) of the respondents believe that their agricultural projects have a good contribution to the development of their capabilities, while (14%) of them believe that these projects had a weak role in developing and developing their capabilities, and this It means that these agricultural projects have greatly developed the capabilities, skills and knowledge of rural women in the Fallujah district and its sub-districts and improved their economic, social, administrative, and marketing conditions (Anhar et al., 2022).

 

Table 2: Respondents opinions on the contribution of small projects to developing the capabilities of rural women.

Percentage	Average capacity development	Categories	No.
14	104.24	Low (122 degrees below)	32
47	155.74	Intermediate (123- 161)	111
39	191.89	High (162 or more)	92
100٪	238.273	Total	235

 

Identifying the extent to which small agricultural projects contribute to the development and development of rural women’s capabilities in each of the following fields

Economic capabilities: The results of the study in Table 3 indicate that the opinions of the sample members differed regarding the extent to which small agricultural projects contribute to the development and development of their economic capabilities. The highest percentage of respondents’ opinions of the sample members regarding the extent of the development of their economic capabilities was (77.75%). According to a scale whose grades range between (2.29-3.11) degrees. The results in Table 3 showed that small agricultural projects for rural women contributed to improving their economic situation and were in second place with a total rate of (76.5%), while they ranked last (The project contributed to the creation of financial savings for the establishment of other projects) and recorded a percentage Its amount is (57.25%). It achieved relative financial stability and contributed to providing job opportunities for family members, while some members of the sample saw that agricultural projects had a moderate contribution to creating financing, as saving to establish other projects was modest in helping women acquire modern devices and equipment, and this means Agricultural projects have played a role in developing some aspects of rural women’s economic capabilities (Saleh et al., 2023).

Social capabilities

The results in Table 4 showed that the respondents believe that small agricultural projects have contributed significantly to developing and developing the social capabilities of rural women. The highest item in this field was (The agricultural project raised my appreciation and respect in society), recording a percentage of 91.5%, and the item ranked last. In this field, it is (the agricultural project was a motivation to contribute to extension activities and awareness campaigns in the region), recording a value of 68%, as the results of the study show the importance of developing social capabilities to develop their agricultural projects. The general average score for the respondents’ opinions reached (2.72-3.66) degrees according to a scale. At the top of the ranking is that agricultural projects have increased respect and appreciation for rural women in society, and that there is cooperation between them in solving problems. facing work, and that these projects contributed to increasing women’s responsibility towards society, while the contribution was to a moderate degree in extension activities and awareness campaigns in the region, and this means that these youth projects have increased cooperation, interaction and solidarity among the members of society (Sulaiman et al., 2019).

Administrative capabilities

The results of Table 5 showed that the highest item in the field of developing women’s capabilities in the field of management was (Make sure that production costs are much lower than the return), recording a percentage of 92.75%, while the item in last place was (I have the ability to plan large agricultural projects in the future) by 72.25%, this indicates the weak future vision of women in managing larger projects, and this is natural due to their fear of the future in light of the current circumstances, as well as the need for larger amounts for these projects.

 

Table 3: Distribution of research on the contribution of small projects to developing economic capabilities.

Rank	Percentage	Average	Paragraphs	No
1	77.75	3.11	The project contributed to improving my economic situation	1.
4	69.25	2.77	The agricultural project achieved financial sufficiency for me and my family	2.
3	74.5	2.98	The project contributed to providing job opportunities for my family members	3.
2	76.5	3.06	The agricultural project contributed to achieving financial stability for my family	4.
5	63.5	2.54	The project provided me with the ability to acquire modern devices and equipment in agriculture	5.
6	57.25	2.29	The project contributed to the creation of financial savings for the establishment of other projects	6.

 

Table 4: Distribution of research on the contribution of small projects to developing social capabilities.

Rank	Percentage	Average	Paragraphs	No
1	91.5	3.66	The agricultural project raised my appreciation and respect in society	1.
3	83	3.32	The project contributed to increasing my responsibility towards society	2.
5	79	3.16	I encourage my family and friends to do similar agricultural projects	3.
4	80	3.2	Transferring experiences, information and skills to the people of the community in which I live	4.
8	68	2.72	The agricultural project was a motive for contributing to extension activities and awareness campaigns in the region	5.
2	90	3.61	I cooperate with my female colleagues in solving problems facing the agricultural project	6.
6	77.25	3.09	Be sure to participate in training and qualification courses related to the project	7.
7	72	2.88	I encourage other women to take up agricultural work to earn a living for their families	8.

 

Table 5: Distribution of respondents on the contribution of small projects to developing their administrative capabilities.

Rank	Percentage	Average	Paragraphs	No
2	90.5	3.62	Have the sufficient skill to manage the agricultural project	1.
3	85.75	3.43	Rely on my experiences and information to make the right decisions	2.
4	82	3.28	I face problems and challenges that hinder work efficiently and effectively	3.
6	78	3.12	I always develop work in the agricultural project using technological means	4.
7	72.25	2.89	Have the ability to plan large agricultural projects in the future	5.
5	79.5	3.18	I can develop distinct mental perceptions about the future of the agricultural project	6.
1	92.75	3.71	Make sure that the production costs are much lower than the revenue	7.

 

The general average score for the respondents’ opinions about the extent to which agricultural projects contribute to developing the administrative capabilities of rural women reached (23.23) degrees according to a scale whose scores were set between (2.89-3.71) degrees. The data contained in Table 5 shows that a large percentage of the respondents They believe that their agricultural projects have contributed significantly to raising their administrative efficiency, foremost of which is their concern for production costs to be much lower than the return and their possession of sufficient skills to manage the project, relying on their information and experience to make appropriate decisions, and that they face problems that hinder working efficiently, and it is clear that Small agricultural projects have had an influential role in developing the skills, information, and administrative expertise of rural women (Yaseen and Demir, 2016).

Cognitive and skill capabilities

The results of Table 6 showed that the highest value recorded in this field is (I have acquired a lot of agricultural information through my management of the project) at a rate of 92%, while the next paragraph came last (I have sufficient skills to address any technical or administrative problems facing the work) at a rate of 69.25%. This indicates that rural women’s experience in project management is weak and they need more continuous training to give them the required experience. It is clear from the data in Table 6 that small agricultural projects have a major role in developing and advancing the cognitive and skill capabilities of rural women, if the average opinions of the respondents according to a scale whose scores ranged between (2.77-3.68) degrees, it comes at the forefront of those capabilities: Rural women have acquired sufficient agricultural skills and information through their management of agricultural projects, and it represents a training and rehabilitation center for them. They are now searching for everything new in the agricultural field. They are also training and educating female workers in the agricultural project. Accordingly, these projects are. If it continues and is provided with direct support, it will contribute to preparing an agricultural generation of rural women who possess sufficient experience and skills and use advanced technologies in farm management (Saleh et al., 2022).

Ability to solve problems

The results of the study showed in Table 7 that the highest item in the field of problem solving was (I have the skill in diagnosing and discovering agricultural project problems), recording a score of 83%, while the last item was (I can face emergency circumstances that hinder work in the agricultural project), recording a score of 66.5%. The results show a clear convergence between the paragraphs in the table and the interest of rural women in the field of solving problems to make their projects successful. To determine the extent

 

Table 6: Distribution of female respondents on small agricultural projects in developing their cognitive and skill capabilities.

Rank	Percentage	Average	Paragraphs	No
1	92	3.68	Through my management of the project, I gained a lot of agricultural information	1.
2	89.25	3.57	For me, the agricultural project represents a training and rehabilitation center	2.
6	69.25	2.77	I have sufficient skills to deal with any technical or administrative problems facing the work	3.
4	76	3.04	I educate and train project workers and provide them with knowledge and experience	4.
3	88.75	3.55	The agricultural project generated a motive for me to search for everything new in agriculture	5.
5	73	2.92	I constantly communicate with scientific research and agricultural extension agencies to gain information	6.

 

Table 7: Distribution of female respondents about small agricultural projects in developing their abilities to solve problems.

Rank	Percentage	Average	Paragraphs	No
2	82	3.28	Rely on my experiences in facing work problems and obstacles	1.
1	83	3.32	Possess the skill in diagnosing and discovering agricultural project problems	2.
3	70.5	2.82	My peaceful management of the project avoided getting into trouble	3.
4	68.5	2.74	I have the ability to predict work problems before they happen	4.
5	66.5	2.66	I can face emergency conditions that hinder work in the agricultural project	5.

 

to which small agricultural projects contribute to developing the ability of rural women to face and solve problems, the data contained in Table 7 showed that the average opinion of the respondents according to a scale whose degrees ranged between (2.66-3.32) degrees. They have the skill in diagnosing and discovering the problems of the agricultural project, and they rely on their personal experiences in facing work problems, and they avoid falling into problems, and they also have, to a moderate degree, the ability to predict work problems before they occur (Saleh et al., 2022).

The ability to adapt to the work environment

The results of the study in Table 8 showed that the highest item in this field was (I admit my personal mistakes and work to overcome them), recording a percentage of 97.5%, while the item came last (I use modern agricultural methods to cope with sudden changes at work), registering a percentage of 66.25%.

According to a scale that determines the role of small agricultural projects in developing the capabilities of rural women to adapt to the work environment, its scores ranged between (2.65-3.9) degrees. Rural women see that their agricultural projects have played a prominent role in developing their ability to adapt to the work environment. They admit their mistakes and seek to overcome them. There is also a close relationship with female colleagues, and the work atmosphere is characterized by friendliness and mutual respect, and there is a high ability to control their feelings, during their work (Saleh and Man, 2017). Table 8 of the results of the study can be seen clearly.

Marketing capabilities

This area is considered important in marketing their products, because it will express the extent of the project’s success, continuity, or failure. The following paragraph was scored first (the products that I market meet the needs of the market and the taste of the consumer) at 75.25%, while the paragraph (the agricultural project’s products compete with imported and local products) was scored last. At a rate of 41.25%. The average of the respondents’ opinions about the contribution of agricultural projects to the development of marketing capabilities were set between (1.65-3.01) degrees. The results of Table 9 showed that there is a noticeable decline in the marketing capabilities of rural women, which comes at the forefront of that The decline is that the products of the agricultural project compete with a weak degree of imported and local products, and the use of modern technological means is relatively limited to promote the produced commodities, while some respondents believe, to a moderate degree, that their products meet the desires and tastes, and that the marketed commodities are characterized by the high quality of the consumer (Prasath, 2023).

 

Table 8: Distributing female respondents to small agricultural projects to develop their abilities to adapt to the work environment.

Rank	Percentage	Average	Paragraphs	No
2	96.25	3.85	I have good relations with my co-workers	1.
1	97.5	3.9	Admit my personal mistakes and work to overcome them	2.
3	87.25	3.49	Make sure to control my feelings while working with my colleagues	3.
4	82.5	3.3	Emergency changes, see them as new educational opportunities	4.
6	66.25	2.65	Use modern farming methods to face sudden changes in work	5.
5	67.75	2.71	Use alternative farming systems in the face of emergency changes	6.

 

Table 9: Distributing research materials on small agricultural projects to develop their marketing capabilities.

Rank	Percentage	Average	Paragraphs	No
2	65.5	2.62	I offer the market distinct and high quality goods	1.
3	63.5	2.54	The products that I market are desired by consumers for their quality and reasonable prices	2.
5	55.5	2.22	Use modern technology to promote my products	3.
6	41.25	1.65	The products of the agricultural project compete with imported and local products	4.
4	60.75	2.43	Monitor supply and demand for commodities in the market and offer competitive prices	5.
1	75.25	3.01	The products that I market meet the needs of the market and the taste of the consumer	6.

 

Table 10: Distributing research subjects on small agricultural projects to develop their abilities in the field of creativity and excellence.

Rank	Percentage	Average	Paragraphs	No
1	83	3.32	Make sure to continuously develop work in the agricultural project	1.
3	79	3.16	Create modern methods of work resulting from scientific experiments	2.
6	66.5	2.66	I offer distinguished products in terms of quality and quality	3.
4	78.75	3.15	I spend a lot of money to develop my practical experience and skills	4.
5	76.25	3.05	I use advanced technological means and methods in my work	5.
2	80.25	3.21	My agricultural project is a model for advanced projects in the region	6.

 

Table 11: Arranging areas for agricultural projects to develop the capabilities of rural women.

Rank	Percentage	Average	Fields of development and development	No
7	69.75	2.79	Development of economic capabilities	1.
4	80	3.2	Development and development of social capabilities	2.
1	83.25	3.33	Development of administrative capabilities	3.
3	81.5	3.26	Developing and developing cognitive and skill capabilities	4.
6	74	2.96	Develop and develop the ability to solve problems	5.
2	82.75	3.31	Develop and develop the ability to adapt to the environment	6.
8	60.25	2.41	Development of marketing capabilities	7.
5	77,25	٣,٠٩	Developing and developing the ability to be creative and distinguished	8.

 

Capabilities in the field of excellence and creativity

The results of the study in Table 10 showed that the item (Be careful to constantly develop the work in the agricultural project) came first, with a total percentage of 83% for the respondents, while the item (I provide distinguished products in terms of quality and quality) came last, recording a percentage of 66.5%, as the results show that there was convergence. It is clear between the paragraphs in the study. In addition, the results showed that the average opinions of the respondents regarding the role of agricultural projects in developing and developing their creative abilities, according to a scale whose scores ranged between (2.66-3.32) degrees, and it appeared that rural women’s projects had an impact in developing Their abilities are in the field of creativity and excellence. They are keen to constantly develop work and innovate modern methods of performing work. Some projects are considered a model for agricultural projects in the region. They also innovate modern methods of work, and they spend a lot of money to develop their experiences and knowledge (Mahal, 202١).

To determine the degree of importance of each area of the contribution of agricultural projects to the development and development of the capabilities of rural women, the data in Table 11 shows that the development and development of administrative capabilities, adaptation to the work environment, knowledge and skill capabilities, social capabilities, and the capabilities of excellence and creativity have topped the ranking ladder, respectively. Followed by the development of capabilities to address problems and administrative capabilities, while we find that agricultural projects had a modest contribution to the development of rural women’s capabilities in the marketing aspects and economic capabilities, and perhaps the great interest shown by rural women to their agricultural projects had a great impact on the development and development of their knowledge, skills and social capabilities and facing problems and adapting to the work environment (Al-Rawi, 2022).

Identifying the determinants that impede the work of agricultural projects for rural women

The opinions of rural women differed about the problems and determinants facing agricultural projects. They see in lending and financing many determinants and obstacles, foremost of which are complex routine procedures for obtaining loans, government neglect of the lending policy for agricultural projects, and the weakness of the role of non-governmental organizations and companies in supporting these projects. Rural women showed the existence of administrative problems represented in

 

Table 12: Problems and obstacles facing agricultural projects for rural women.

Important	Percentage	Mean	Average	Administrative and technical problems
2	94	3.76	3.95	Weakness in providing government and media support to encourage agricultural projects
			3.86	Complex routine procedures for obtaining work and production licenses
			3.92	Complex administrative procedures to obtain project funds
			3.07	Poor administrative and accounting experience
			3.89	The high prices of production requirements and the scarcity of government support for them
			3.65	Government neglect of agricultural projects
			3.97	High labor wages
Cognitive and skill problems
4	74.55	2.98	1.03	Lack of knowledge and skills of entrepreneurs
			3.18	Absence of government guidance programs for the development of agricultural projects
			3.27	Lack of educational and educational services by extension and agricultural research
			3.57	Scarcity of training and qualification courses related to agricultural projects
			3.86	Negligence of the extension body to the technical problems and needs facing the projects
Marketing problems
3	90.6	3.62	3.89	Compete with imported commodities for the products of local agricultural projects
			2.64	Poor market capacity to absorb locally produced commodities
			3.72	Price inconsistency and instability
			3.96	Weak laws to protect and support the prices of local products
			3.91	High wages for advertising devices to promote the goods produced
Funding problems
1	94.95	3.79	3.82	Governmental neglect of the lending policy for agricultural projects
			3.74	High interest rate on financing loans for projects
			3.94	Complex routine administrative procedures to obtain financial loans
			3.69	The loans granted do not cover the expenses of the agricultural projects
			3.8	Weak role of non-governmental organizations and companies in supporting agricultural projects

 

the high wages of the labor force, weak governmental and media support in encouraging projects, complex administrative procedures to obtain project financing, and high wages for production requirements (Saleh, 2022).

On the other hand, the respondents believe that there are problems in the marketing process facing work in agricultural projects, such as the absence of laws that are based on protecting the local product, high advertising fees to promote goods and competition of imported goods for the products of local agricultural projects (Tohma, 2021). It was found that there is negligence on the part of the extension body of the technical problems and needs facing the projects, the scarcity of training and qualification courses related to agricultural projects, and the lack of educational and educational services by the agricultural extension and research organizations, as shown in Table 12.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Small agricultural projects for rural women in the Fallujah district had a positive contribution to the development and development of their capabilities in various aspects. It was found that small agricultural projects for rural women have contributed effectively to the development of their administrative, cognitive, and social capabilities and the ability to adapt to the environment and in the field of creativity and excellence, while the contribution of agricultural projects to the development of the two areas of ability to solve problems and economic capabilities was modest. The study showed the existence of problems and obstacles facing work in agricultural projects, foremost of which are financing and lending problems such as complex routine procedures for obtaining loans, government neglect of the lending policy for agricultural projects, and the weakness of the role of organizations and non-governmental companies in supporting these projects. High labor wages, weak governmental and media support in encouraging projects, complex administrative procedures to obtain project financing, and high wages for production requirements.

The study showed that there are obstacles in the marketing process that face workers in agricultural projects, such as the absence of laws that are based on protecting the local product, high advertising fees to promote goods, and the competition of imported goods for the products of local agricultural projects. Given the great contribution played by small agricultural projects for rural women in the development and development of their abilities, skills, and information, therefore, the responsible authorities must encourage, perpetuate and support rural women to work in agricultural projects and provide all means that ensure their sustainability and success through the preparation of national development programs that target these the important segment to address cases of unemployment and poverty. Activating the government’s role in supporting the financing and lending policy for agricultural projects in a way that meets the financing and support of these projects, facilitating administrative procedures for granting loans, reducing the interest rate, and activating the role of non-governmental organizations and companies in supporting these projects. In addition, providing the necessary support for commodities and products of agricultural projects, providing and protecting production requirements, enacting laws and legislation that guarantee this, and imposing customs duties on imported goods to reduce the intensity of competition with local products, and work to stabilize the market and avoid price discrepancies.

Acknowledgement

Authors extend their thanks and gratitude to all the agricultural extension staff, for providing moral support for the purpose of completing this manuscript and knowing the most important obstacles to develop the agricultural sector and increasing productivity.

Novelty Statement

In this study, we studied the role of women in managing small agricultural projects, within eight axes in developing their capabilities. The importance of women in agricultural production and processing, cultural openness, the job status of their work, the size of the living unit, the quality of housing, the ability to bear financial burdens, and the income of the head of the family are among the most important determinants of the role of rural women in sustainable development. There must be measures and decisions taken by the government to give women their rights and needs to a sufficient extent at all levels.

Author’s Contribution

The manuscript was written by Dr. (Jasim Saleh), and it was checked by Dr. Najwa, the data was analyzed by Dr. Adnan, the data was collected by Ms. Anwar, coordination was made with all authors together to show the manuscript as required.

Data availability statement

Data sharing is not applicable.

Approval

I declare my agreement to follow the terms of publication in the Journal and to follow the global contexts in global publishing without conflicting with all ethical values

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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