PERCEPTIONS OF GENDER ISSUES IN AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AMONG RURAL DWELLERS IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Rural livelihood in Nigeria depends largely on natural resources (Land, water, forest etc) which are communally owned. The quality of life in the rural areas and the sustainability of the production system are consequences of how well these resources are managed. Management is a social activity which emphasizes efficient allocation of resources for optimum output, therefore any member of the community irrespective of the gender category with the know-how can be charged with the responsibility of resource utilization for better living standard. However, resource management in the study area has been inequitable as there are obvious cases of male domination. This study, consequently, was undertaken to assess the perceptions of gender issues as they affect sustainable agricultural development. A total of 272 respondents were selected through simple random sampling technique. Structured questionnaire to elicit information for this study, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with one group from each of the communities was also used to compliment the data from the questionnaire. Results show that majority (83%) of the people in the study area did not understand the concept of gender and thus interaction in all issues identified and resource allocation were based on the biological attribute (sex) of the people. Majority (88%) of the respondents identified right to ownership of resources as main gender issues. Forest resource, land, water or rivers and human beings were among the things identified as community resources. It was concluded that the fundamental problem of resource management in the study area was the poor understanding of the concept of gender, consequently, it is suggested that the people should be sensitized well enough about the meaning of gender so that culturally based action in resource allocation can be modified to guarantee equitable and sustainable access to agricultural productive resources.