Developing nations could greatly improve the quality of life in rural areas by adequately involving women in agricultural extension and training programs. Policy objectives of many developing countries neglect the contributory role of girls and women and often constrain them from seizing opportunities for individual development. In Nigeria, the latent energy of girls and women is being harnessed to improve the general living of the people, and this effort is spurred by current events in the world petroleum market and the economic recession, which add urgency to plans for diversifying the revenue base of the country. There are many steps that developing nations can take to alleviate conditions that have constrained women's productivity in agriculture, while leaving them an enormous burden of work. Rural women should receive education that would help them in gaining independent access to land. Agricultural extension training should be directed toward the specific needs of women. Basic literacy education for rural women should include functional programs in agriculture. Rural schools should teach practical training in agriculture to both boys and girls. Research in agricultural education should be aimed at improving production, processing, and preservation of food and at making the tasks of rural women bearable. (JHZ)