analysis of women’s participation in processing cassava

The study analysed women’s participation in processing cassava to gari in ekiti state, nigeria. primary data were obtained from 120 respondents with the use of a well-structured interviw schedule in the study area. descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. the mean age of the reespondents was 48 years and had the mean household size of 5 persons. the mean processing experience, annual income and quantity of processed tubers were 15 years, ₦472,200.00 and 7 bags respectively. women’s participation was high (3.1) in gari processing activities. participation of women in cassava processing was significantly influenced by household size, annual income, processing experience and quantity of cassava roots processed. the major constraints to gari processing were inadequate storage facilities, poor transportation network, government policies on agricultural marketing, low capital, inadequate processing facilities, low returns from product sales and poor marketing channels. the study therefore, recommends that the government should encourage participation in packing activities by women gari processors to add value to processed products, ensure increased production of cassava roots by cassava producers, provide good transportation network, storage, credit and processing facilities, and formulate good agricultural marketing policies for these women for increased income and enhanced food security.