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Gender differentials in farmers’ involvement in cassava production activities in Abia State, Nigeria


C.U. Nwaobiala
E.N. Alozie
C.N. Anusiem

Abstract

This study assessed men and women differentials in cassava production activities in Abia State, Nigeria. A total of 120 cassava farmers comprising 60 men and 60 women were randomly selected. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression and Z–test. Results show that the men had mean age of 44.5 years and 47 years for the women, majority 93.3% (men) and 81.6% (women) were married, most 61.6% (men) and 51.7% (women) attended secondary school and had mean farming experience of 14.9 years (men) and 12.7 years (women). The major sources of information on cassava production activities used by the farmers were Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) and fellow farmers. Results further showed that women were more involved ( x̄ = 2.0) than the male cassava farmers ( x̄ =1.8) in cassava production activities. The factors that influenced the men’s involvement in cassava production activities were household size, farm income and farm size whereas marital status, farming experience and education were the major factors that influenced women’s participation in the process. Meanwhile, there was a significant difference in the level of involvement of the men and women farmers in cassava production activities at 1.0% level of probability. The study concludes that women are more involved in cassava production activities than men. This study therefore recommends formulation of gender sensitive policies, land reforms, free and affordable education for women farmers for enhanced cassava production.

Keywords: Gender, Differentials, Cassava, Production, Activities


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eISSN: 1117-9996