Analysis of Gender Roles in Palm Oil Production in the Northern Agricultural Zone of Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analysed gender roles in palm oil production in the Northern Agricultural Zone of Delta State. Four randomly selected Local Government Areas and 160 palm oil producers (80 males and 80 females) were used for the study. Multiple regression analysis, resource–use efficiency, percentages and t-test were employed in analysing the data. The gender responsibility profile showed that movement of fruits to processing site, sterilization, pulp pressing/milling, preservation and marketing were mainly done by women. Bunch harvesting, quartering of bunches, stripping, digesting and clarification were predominantly male activities. Results of regression analysis by gender showed that the quantity of oil palm branches, cooperative membership, the cost of processing method, and hired labour made significant contributions to quantity of palm oil produced by men and women. The result of t-test revealed that there was a significant difference between men and women in their level of palm oil production at 0.025 level of significance. There was no difference in resource-use efficiencies of men and women in palm oil production in the study area. On key decision-making areas of palm oil production, men dominated in three aspects, while women dominated in four out of seven aspects of decision making. Since there was no gender difference in resource-use efficiency, it was recommended that the inefficiency in the entire palm oil production system should be addressed. Men and women should strive to utilize better processing techniques that are less expensive and can save the cost of hiring labour.