Gender Participation in Soybean Production in Oyo State, Nigeria

Participation in soybean production is expected to be high amongst both gender considering the nutrition benefit and economic importance of the crop. This study investigated the gender participation in major activities of soybean production process. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 111 male and 40 female soybean farmers from 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. Data were collected on participation in soybean production, respondents’ perception and socioeconomics characteristics with the use of structured questionnaire and data were described and analysed using percentages, means, chi square, and independent sample t-test. Result shows that the average age of the respondents was 50±9.3 years for male and 44±7.8 years for female. Majority (89.4%) were married and 75.5% of the total respondents were farmers cultivating soybean. Mean participation was 19.9±2.6, majority (70.0%) of the female famers had high participation while only 38.7% of the total male respondents showed high participation in soybean production. There was a significant difference (t=2.29, p = 0.02) in the participation of male and female in soybean production, while a non-significant relationship existed between the marital status of female (X 2 = 1.39; p= 0.54) respondents and participation in soybean production. The study concludes that both gender participate in soybean production process at different stages of production. Female were more active in the processing and marketing of the produce. The study recommends that gender needs be identified in providing intervention for soybean production