Gender roles in subsistence crop production in Kwara State, Nigeira.

Abstract

The paper describes the major sources of food production in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study strictly examines the participation of women in the production system which hitherto has been invisible. The primary data for this study were obtained as part of a larger survey of rural women in Kwara State between 1989 and 1990. The analysis is based on the descriptive examinations of women agricultural activities in four Local Government Areas. As a result of the emphasis on market economy that features very prominently in National Income accounting, the erroneous belief that most rural women do not make an appreciable contribution to crop production is over-turned in this study. Most women take part in planting, weeding, harvesting and post-harvest activities of "subsistence" crops. Crop production in the study area is, therefore, a function of sexual division of labour. Also gender-specific constraints to women full participation in agricultural production are brought into focus. Recommendations are made on how to motivate and enhance women productivity in agriculture while making the work more pleasant.

Keywords: Subsistence crop production, gender roles.