Gender Analysis of Food Use of Cassava by Small Scale Farmers in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The research made a gender analysis of the food use of cassava by small scale farmers in Edo State. Three local government areas of the state, 9 villages and 270 respondents were selected through a two stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics was employed for data analysis. The socio-economic characteristics of the farmers showed that 72% of females between the ages of 20 – 39 are involved in cassava farming over their male counterparts (54%), while at the age bracket 40 – 49; males are more involved in farming (45%) against females (27%). More males attained formal education (95%) as against 71% of the females, and only 29% of the females owned between 6 – 10 hectares of land as against 62% of the males. Further findings show that 34% of males as against 29% of females made use of cassava foods in their daily food needs. The study concludes that male small scale farmers in the state have greater opportunity of increasing their agricultural outputs over the females, as well as attaining more formal education than females. Females between the ages 20 – 39 were more involved in cassava farming while more males made use of cassava food products in their daily food needs. It is recommended that land use laws and culture of the area on land ownership that disadvantaged females should be revisited so as to grant equal opportunities to both genders to express their potentials in the area of agricultural productivity and output. Also, the state government should review some of its policies on education, placing more emphasis on girl-child education to reduce disparity in the access and attainment of formal education for both genders as well as providing incentives/grant credit facilities to agricultural ventures to attract more young males between the ages of 20 – 39 to take to farming as a means of livelihood and self sustenance. This will ensure that the youthful vigor at this age is harnessed in increasing food output that will help in reducing the looming food insecurity in the county.

Keywords: Gender, Cassava, Small Scale Farmers, Edo, Nigeria.