Investigation of Women’s Participation in Agricultural Value Chains in Kwara State

Women constitute a significant share of Nigeria's agricultural labour force, yet their participation and benefits along agricultural value chains are constrained by structural gender inequalities in resource access, market information, and decision-making. This study investigates women's participation in agricultural value chains in Kwara State, focusing on rice and soybean production systems in Ilorin West, Moro, and Ekiti Local Government Areas. A descriptive survey design was employed, with 240 female farmers and traders completing structured questionnaires. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and value chain mapping. Findings reveal that women are concentrated in post-harvest processing and retail stages of both value chains, activities characterised by lower margins and higher labour intensity than production and wholesale trade, which are male-dominated. Women report limited access to extension services, certified seed, fertiliser subsidies, and formal credit, all of which reduce their productivity and value chain upgrading potential. Market price information is primarily controlled by male traders, reducing women's negotiating capacity. Recommendations include gender-sensitive agricultural extension services, women-targeted input subsidy programmes, and inclusive market information systems. These findings contribute to gender and agricultural development literature for the North Central zone. Keywords: women, agricultural value chains, Kwara State, gender, rural development