Introduction
Women’s participation in the agro-food value chain is essential for economic growth, food security, and poverty reduction in Nigeria. Despite their significant contributions to agriculture, women face various constraints, including gender biases, social norms, and limited access to productive resources. This theoretical framework aims to examine the key factors that influence women’s participation in the agro-food value chain in Nigeria and provide insights into strategies for improving their engagement.
Theoretical perspectives: Several theoretical perspectives can be used to understand women’s participation in the agro-food value chain in Nigeria. These include the gender and development approach, the value chain approach, and the capability approach.
The gender and development approach emphasizes the importance of addressing gender inequalities and promoting women’s empowerment for sustainable development. This approach acknowledges that women’s participation in the agro-food value chain is influenced by social norms, cultural practices, and gender biases. It also recognizes that women’s participation in the value chain can have positive impacts on their well-being, the well-being of their households, and the broader community.
The value chain approach emphasizes the importance of analyzing the entire chain of activities involved in producing and delivering a product or service. This approach recognizes that women participate in different stages of the agro-food value chain, including production, processing, and marketing. It also highlights the importance of understanding the linkages between different actors in the value chain and identifying opportunities for improving the efficiency and competitiveness of the chain.
The capability approach emphasizes the importance of expanding people’s freedoms and opportunities to live the lives they value. This approach recognizes that women’s participation in the agro-food value chain is influenced by their access to productive resources, including land, finance, and technology. It also emphasizes the importance of promoting women’s agency and decision-making power and creating an enabling environment that supports their participation.
Key determinants of women’s participation in the agro-food value chain in Nigeria: Several key determinants influence women’s participation in the agro-food value chain in Nigeria. These include access to productive resources, social norms and cultural practices, education and training, and market access.
Access to productive resources, including land, finance, and technology, is a critical determinant of women’s participation in the agro-food value chain. Women often have limited access to these resources due to discriminatory laws and policies, cultural practices, and gender biases.
Social norms and cultural practices also influence women’s participation in the agro-food value chain. Women are often expected to perform domestic and caregiving duties, which can limit their mobility and participation in market activities. In addition, women may face stigmatization or discrimination if they engage in activities that are perceived as being outside of their traditional roles.
Education and training can also influence women’s participation in the agro-food value chain. Women who have higher levels of education are more likely to participate in market activities and have greater decision-making power. In addition, training programs can help women develop the skills and knowledge they need to participate more effectively in the value chain.
Market access is also an important determinant of women’s participation in the agro-food value chain. Women may face barriers to accessing markets, including lack of transportation, limited market information, and discriminatory pricing practices.
Conclusion
Women’s participation in the agro-food value chain is crucial for sustainable development in Nigeria. This theoretical framework highlights the importance of addressing gender inequalities and promoting women’s empowerment, analyzing the entire value chain, and expanding women’s freedoms and opportunities. By addressing the key determinants of women’s participation in the agro-food value chain, policymakers and development practitioners can create an enabling environment that supports women’s engagement and contributes to inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction.
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