Volume 9, Issue 20, January - December 2023

Gender roles on the underutilization of pigeon peas (Cajanus Cajan) in South-East, Nigeria

Ohagwu Violet Amarachukwu, Okoroafor Charles Chiadikaobi, John Oluebube Deborah, Nwokolo Chizoba Augustina, Nwobodo Cynthia E

Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study examined gender roles in pigeon pea production in southeast, Nigeria, to provide an understanding of the role gender plays in the underutilization of pigeon pea. It addressed the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, their agronomic practices on the production of pigeon peas, gender roles in production practices of pigeon peas, constraints encountered by the respondents in the production practices of pigeon peas and possible strategies for improving the production practices of pigeon pea. The structured interview schedule was used in collecting data from (90) male and 102 female) pigeon pea farmers. The population study comprises farmers who are aware of pigeon peas in the state. A purposive sampling procedure was used in selecting respondents for the study. Thus, the total sample size for the study was 192 pigeon farmers. Statistical tools such as percentages, frequency, mean, and standard deviation were used in analyzing the data. Multistage sampling procedure, purposive sampling procedure and simple random method were employed in selecting respondents for the study, it was identified that in gender roles in the production of pigeons, the women and youth were more involved in the production of pigeon peas. The roles include watering (43.2%), weeding (30.7%), herbicide application (23.4%), marketing (50.5%), processing (28.6%), storage (34.9%) and farm preparation (33.9%), ploughing (37.5%), harrowing (30.7%), harvesting (28.1%), respectively. That is to say that gender has a great influence on the production of pigeon peas. The finding revealed the constraints perceived by the male respondents which were; non-availability of transport facilities, lack of knowledge on uses, unavailability of extension, and lack of access to credit. The constraints perceived by the female respondents were; non-availability of transport facilities, lack of market, lack of knowledge on uses, and lack of access to credit. The study revealed lack of access to credit and non-availability of transport facilities as the most serious constraint. A study on pigeon pea farming revealed that males handled physically demanding tasks while females focused on less strenuous activities. Both genders faced common challenges, with females highlighting a lack of credit access and males emphasizing transportation issues. To address these problems, the study suggests providing financial support through loans and grants and educating farmers about available credit facilities. Strategies for improved pigeon pea production include better market connections, enhanced harvesting methods for males, and suitable technologies for females. Implementing these strategies can enhance pigeon pea farming practices.

Keywords: Pigeon, pea, Male, female

Discovery Agriculture, 2023, 9, e2da1537

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v9i20.e2da1537

Published: 01 December 2023