November 2014 Vol. 2 No.11

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Mtsor GY
Idisi PD

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Review

Gender inequality and women participation in agricultural development in Nigeria

¹Yemisi Grace Mtsor and ^*2P. D. Idisi

¹African Development Bank, 8 Lake Chad Crescent, Maitama, Abuja
²Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author's E-mail: idisi2013@gmail.com; Tel: +234 (0) 80 39536415

Accepted November 13, 2014

Abstract

Agriculture can be an important engine of growth and poverty reduction. But the sector is underperforming in many countries in part because women, who are often, constitute a crucial resource in agriculture and the rural economy, face constraints that reduce their involvement and productivity. Most women farmers in Nigeria operate at the subsistence, small holder level in an extensive agricultural system; hence in their hand lies the country’s food security and Agricultural development. Particularly striking, however, is the fact that rural women, more than their male counterparts, take the lead in agricultural activities, make up to 60-80 percent of labour force. It is ironical that their contributions to agriculture and rural development are seldom noticed. Furthermore, they have either no or minimal part in the decision-making process regarding agricultural development. Gender inequality is therefore dominant in the sector and this constitutes a bottleneck to development, calling for a review of government policies on agriculture to all the elements that place rural women farmers at a disadvantage. Women farmers deserve better recognition and greater appreciation of their tangible contributions to agriculture and rural development and food security. The objective of this paper is to discover how gender inequality can diminish women involvement and productivity in Agricultural Development. Identify the missing link between policy implementation and practice. Also, identify areas of improvement in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from the gender perspective and proffer a pragmatic approach to ensuring Gender Equality practices in the Agricultural Sector in Nigeria. Some of the factors that hinder women’s involvement in Agricultural Development in Nigeria is land ownership, access to credit, Education and Legal frameworks and policies for the advancement of gender equality and women empowerment. This paper reveals that bringing about a gender equitable social order necessitates building bridges, and partnerships with a variety of interest groups, including the executives; the legislatures; the judiciary; law enforcement agents; policy makers; health and social workers; leaders of industries; civil society organizations; and the development partners. It recommends that the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria should be reviewed from the gender perspective.

Keywords: Agriculture, Gender Inequality, Nigeria, Women Farmers