Women Participation in Agricultural Value Chains in Anambra State

This study examines the extent and nature of women's participation in agricultural value chains in Anambra State, South East Nigeria. Women constitute the majority of subsistence food producers in Nigeria but face systematic barriers to participation in higher-value segments of agricultural value chains, including processing, marketing, and export. Anambra State's diverse agricultural economy, encompassing yam, cassava, and vegetable production, provides a useful context for assessing gender-differentiated value chain participation. This study uses a survey design, collecting data from 220 women farmers and processors in Awka South, Onitsha North, and Nnewi South local government areas. Value chain participation is assessed across production, processing, marketing, and input supply dimensions. Regression analysis identifies determinants of women's participation level and income capture. Findings reveal that women dominate the retail marketing segment but are largely excluded from wholesale trading and formal processing enterprises, capturing an estimated 31 percent of total value chain income despite performing over 60 percent of value chain labour. Education level, access to capital, and membership in women's cooperative societies are significant positive determinants of higher-value chain participation. The study concludes that structural barriers restrict women's capture of agricultural value chain income in Anambra State. It recommends targeted women's enterprise development programmes, cooperative strengthening, and gender-sensitive agricultural finance products.

Keywords: women, agricultural value chains, Anambra State, gender, income.