Gender and Generational Roles in Rice Production in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the gender/generational roles in rice production in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select one hundred and eighty respondents for the study. Primary data were collected using structured interview schedule and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Results show that the mean age of the farmers was 45.32 years, with more male headed households (67.78%) than females. Majority (73.89%) were married, with only 24.44% having no formal education. Results also show 22.63 years and 1.35 hectares as average years of experience in rice production and average farm size respectively. Adult males were role players in bush clearing (58.33%) and tilling of the soil (54.44%). Adult females played leading roles in parboiling (67.78%) of the product. Young males were key actors in trapping of rodents/making scare crows (83.33%), while young females were identified with drying of the rice grains (58.59%). Major constraints to rice production were insufficient funds and insufficient/high cost of labour, ranking 1st and 2nd most serious constraints respectively. It is recommended that programmes designed to encourage increased rice production in the area be patterned to provide loans and also help to reduce high cost of labour by mechanizing most activities in the rice production process in the area. Moreover, the programmes should be segregated in line with the gender/generational division of labour in rice production to help tackle gender/generational specific constraints.