Effectiveness of Gender Mainstreaming on Cassava Production in Etche L.g.a, Nigeria.

This study examined the effectiveness of gender mainstreaming among cassava farmers in Etche Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, Nigeria. The research aimed to analyze socio-economic factors of cassava production, assess the influence of gender roles on productivity, compare farm ownership structures, and identify gender-discriminating factors in cassava farming. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 90 respondents, equally distributed among female-owned, male-owned, and jointly-owned farms. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and gross margin analysis.Results revealed a balanced gender representation in cassava farming, with most farmers being middle-aged, married, and having secondary education. Gender roles significantly influenced farm revenue, with male involvement in land preparation and processing showing positive associations, while female involvement in planting and weeding showed negative relationships. Jointly-owned farms demonstrated the highest productivity and profitability. Female farmers faced more significant barriers in accessing land, credit, agricultural machinery, and training compared to their male counterparts.The study concluded that while progress has been made towards gender parity in representation, significant disparities persist in resource access and productivity. The superior performance of jointly-owned farms highlights the potential benefits of collaborative gender efforts. Recommendations include implementing targeted policies to improve female farmers' access to resources, developing gender-sensitive extension services, promoting labor-saving technologies, encouraging joint ownership models, and addressing cultural norms that limit women's participation in cassava farming.