The gendered nature of productive and reproductive roles in the agricultural sector

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the roles of both male and female farmers in the agricultural sector and how the interact to perform these role. The fieldwork researched two communities in two districts of northern region, Ghana. Data was also collected from agricultural development agencies: Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and World Vision Ghana (WVG). Data collection was achieved through formal surveys, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and observations. A total of 100 participants were interviewed guided by semi-structured questionnaire. Forty-five set of questionnaire- 15 each- were administered to the three Agricultural Development Agencies. While 150 community members made up of both female and male farmers took part in five Focal Group Workshops. Results show that the contribution of rural women in agriculture is unpaid for because they work on family farm lands and do not control farm produce. Women contribute up to a total of 56 hours a week on farm and domestic labour with minimal sharing of tasks from their spouses and sons in the household. In spite of the acknowledgement of women’s economic contributions by agricultural development agencies, women usually do not have direct access to valuable innovation. In conclusion, culture, social and economic factors have a major role to play in the productive and reproductive roles of both men and women in the agricultural sector