Contributions of Women in Cassava Production and Processing Activities among Farmers in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper investigated women’s contributions in cassava production and processing activities among farmers in Delta State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to ascertain the roles of rural women in cassava farming operation, determine socioeconomic benefit associated with cassava farming and the factors working against women’s participation in cassava farming activities. Multistage sampling procedure was used in this study. Three local governments out of the 25 local governments in the State were used for the research, based on their activities on cassava production. One hundred and twenty farmers were randomly sampled for the study. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and mean score. Findings showed that majority (71%) of the farmers were women while 23% were men. The mean age, years of farming experience, household size, and farm size of the farmers were 38 years, 8 years, three persons, and three hectares, respectively. In terms of cassava production, it was observed that 79%, 71%, and 69% of the women were involved in cassava planting, weeding and harvesting while men highly contributed to land preparation and ridge making. The processing of cassava into Akpu (foo-foo), garri, and tapioca (abacha) was dominated by the women while men contributed significantly in grinding (71%) and pounding (70%) of cassava. Increases in household food security and income appreciation were some of the benefits derived from cassava farming by the farmers. The challenges faced by the women were inadequate laborers (M = 3.25), high cost of processing and storage equipment (M = 3.05), lack of access to bank credit (M = 2.17), climatic factor (M = 2.39), time consuming (M = 2.05), and inadequate extension services (M = 2.02). This paper recommended that women should be encouraged to form unions to enable them access loan for their needs. Farmers should also be encouraged to adopt agricultural mechanization through government support. Government at all levels should provide subsidies for processing and storage equipments to farmers to enable them have access to them.