Assessment of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender roles among maize farmers in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender roles among Maize Farmers in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 120 respondents. Data on respondents' socioeconomic characteristics, effect of COVID-19 in maize production, effect of gender roles and constraints of the farmers were collected using an interview schedule; analysed using percentages, Chi-square, Pearson Moment Correlation, and T-test at α_0.05. The result showed that most of the respondents were male (73.0%) with mean age of 42.0±10.0 years. Both genders were engaged in fertilizer application (100.0%) and maize processing (100.0%). The most rated effect of COVID-19 on maize production was lack of market for the produce (92.5%); high for 59.2% respondents. Effect of COVID-19 on gender roles was diversification of livelihood (67.5%); favourable for 67.5%. The most constraint encountered was insufficient funds (1.73); high for 65.0% of the respondents. A significant relationship existed between respondents’ sex (χ²=15.078) and age (r=-0.244) and effect of COVID-19 on gender roles in maize production. However, a significant difference existed (F=7.166) in the effect of COVID-19 among male and female maize farmers. The gender role mitigated the effects of the pandemic on maize production.