ABSTRACT
This study investigated gender roles in cassava processing in Imo State, Nigeria. Purposive and multi-stage random sampling techniques were used in the selection of male and female cassava farmers. A sample size of 240 respondents comprising of 120 male and 120 females were involved in this study. Instrument for data collection was a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data generated. Results indicate that most of processing operations including peeling, sieving, toasting, fermenting, cooking, pounding and wrapping were carried out mainly by women. Youths and men dominated grating and dewatering because they operated the machines used for these operations, while youths assumed prominence in washing of peeled roots, and played important part in sieving, toasting garri and pounding fufu. Gender gaps in cassava processing exist in the study area. In order to address these gaps, males in the state should be encouraged to be more involved in cassava processing through the mechanization of the entire process, while females should be encouraged, through provision of credit facilities, to own and access these processing machines. |
Keywords: |
Men, Women, Youths, cassava processing, gender roles, socioeconomic characteristics |
