Division of Labour in Rice Production and Processing across Gender in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed division of labour in rice production and processing across gender in Ogun state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used in sampling 120 rice farmers who are both producers and processors. Primary data were obtained from the respondents with the use of structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using frequency, percentage, charts, mean and t-test statistic. The findings revealed that, in rice production; clearing of farm land (90.0%), de-stumping/packing (98.3%), and tilling of land (98.3%) were mainly carried out by men while women were more involved in activities such as planting (52.5%), weeding (50.8%), bird scaring (69.%), harvesting and packing (74.2%). In rice processing; men performed major activities in milling (95.8%), de-stoning (95.0%) and transportation (91.6%) while women were more involved in threshing (84.2%), sun drying (80.9%), and winnowing (87.5%). The result of t- test showed that, there was significant differences in the average quantity of rice (kg) produced by men and women in year 2012 (t=3.930; p≤0.05), 2013 (t=4.748; p≤0.05), 2014 (t=3.570; p≤0.05) and 2016 (t=3.096); p≤0.05) but there was no significant difference between the average rice produced by men and women (t=0.308; p>0.05) in year 2015. Interventions to address the rice production and processing in major energy require activities (like clearing, milling) should be tailored towards men while low energy activities (like planting, harvesting, marketing) interventions should be tailored towards women in order to enhance high productivity and quality processing.

Keywords: gender division of labour, rice production, rice processing