Gender Differentials in Profitability of Cassava Value Chain in Rivers State

The study analyzed the cassava value chain in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria with a view to : (i) identifying the existing cassava value chain by gender and (ii) estimating the profit by gender in cassava value chain in the area. Primary data were collected with a questionnaire. from a sample of 78 farmers. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Net Income and Gross Margin. The study found that both males and females were actors in cassava value chain, but females participated more in production and processing while male farmers participated more in marketing in cassava value chain. Male farmers had gross margin of N23000 in cassava production while females had a gross margin of N12900 in cassava production in the study area. However, male processors also made more profit along the value chain with gross margin of N178,500 more than the females whose gross margin was N53200 while female marketers made more profit along the chain with gross margin of N180,000 more than the males whose gross margin was N58,000. It was therefore recommended that credit institutions, both private and public, should gear up efforts to provide the female cassava-based farmers with more farm credit and inputs needed along the cassava value chain to boost their profitability. Improved land access through review of the Land Use Decree in Nigeria was also recommended to improve women's access to land