Productivity and Gender/Intra-Household Roles in Rice Production in Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study ascertained productivity and gender/ intra-household roles in rice production in Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. Ninety farmers selected from three and nine town and village communities respectively constituted the respondents for the study. Data were analysed with percentage, mean score and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Findings show that majority (53.3%) of the respondents were females who were married (58.9%) with a mean household size of 6persons, mean farming experience of 14 years  and mean age of  40 years. Greater proportion (57.8%) engaged in farming as their primary occupation with a mean monthly income of 28,294.44 Naira. On average they owned 2.7hectares of land and cultivated 1.7 hectares of the land with rice. Their mean output and yield from rice production were 3.2tonnes and 1.4 tonnes/hectare respectively. Youths anchored most activities of rice production. Hence there is need  for  the government to enact policies and initiate programmes aimed at attracting youth to rice production and agriculture generally so as to reduce  restiveness among youths, channel their energy  and expertise  towards achieving food security as well as agriculture and economic growth and development.