Gender Roles and Economic Differentials in Aquaculture of Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria

Abstract

The existing power differences among men, women and youths in aquaculture pre-empted the study on gender roles and economic differentials in aquaculture of Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria. Specifically, the study assessed sources of production resources, gender roles, cost and returns and existing gender gaps in aquaculture. Using a survey design, a two-stage sampling procedure was used to select 81 males and 39 females from a population of 229 fish farmers. Data were presented using descriptive statistics and analyzed with budgetary technique and gender gap ratios. Key result shows that the men and youths had direct access to land through inheritance and purchase while the women (61%) accessed land through a family relation. The men and male youths performed majority of the gender roles involved in preparation of ponds, fingerlings stocking, fish management and post-harvest activities while the women and female youths were actively involved in fish management, liming and grading. Economic indicators show that the men and youths have a higher return on investment than the women implying that such power differences still exist. Hence, it is recommended that women should be organized in groups for empowerment. This will enable them utilize their collective strength through division of labour in fish farming.