Gender-based Analysis of Labour Utilization for rice Production in Guma, Benue State, Nigeria

Rice production in Guma local government area of Benue State was evaluated based on gender participation in labour utilization. Literature was reviewed to ascertain the perspectives of other scholars in various study areas, and Caroline Moser’s triple roles gender analysis framework helped to explain the processes. The study used a survey research design with a population of 5125 smallholder rice farmers, out of which 371 respondents were sampled using a multi-stage sampling strategy. Data was collected using questionnaires and key informants’ interviews (KIIs) Guide. The results have been presented in tables showing simple frequencies and percentages to answer the research questions. The findings revealed that gender division of labour exists and has a negative effect on labour utilization for rice production and yield in the study area. It also showed that men and women have differential access to land, capital, human labour, inputs, and trainings, which result in a productivity gap as men produce more rice than women in the study area. Thus, the study recommended, among other things that rural development planners must be intentional in mainstreaming gender specific needs in program planning and implementation, and that agricultural extension agents consider the triple roles of women and plan activities accordingly to ensure inclusion.