FR1.3: Coping with Stressors along the Cassava Value Chain in Nigeria: Evidence to Strengthen Gender-Responsive Breeding and Inform Resilience

Abstract

This study investigates gender perspectives on climate change (CC) and conflict stressors surrounding the cassava value-chain (VC) in Nigeria. Research Question(s): A State of Knowledge review identified the need to inquire into coping strategies and the preferred stressor-related cassava traits by specifically asking, "In what ways do gender roles and norms influence these". Methodology: Data elicited from 187 cassava farmers, 15 Key Informants and 63 VC Focus Group participants were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Key findings: The study validates CC as a key factor in increased conflicts. Farmer-herder clashes, communal clashes and land disputes exacerbate the emergence of farm burning, theft and influence the kind of cassava food product made. This shapes stressor-related trait preferences like ‘early re-emergence of leaves after grazing', ‘short stem', ‘ratooning potential', and ‘stem-longevity' among men and women farmers and ‘multi-purpose suitability of roots' among processors/marketers mainly women. Coping mechanisms include relocating farms, migration and fragmented farming among men, and choice of food with less processing steps, backyard farming, forcing daughter's premature marriage and dependence on remittances from husbands among women. Resilience capacity is generally low, but men have a higher overall resilience capacity (t = 5.45) and level of access to assets (t = 6.698) which facilitate coping strategies like ‘relocating farms', migration and ‘fragmented farming'. Relevance and Implication of findings: Results present gendered coping strategies, corresponding stressor-related traits, as additional aspects important when evaluating the gender impact of breeding strategies concerning the positive benefits for, and possible harm to cassava users and especially women engaged in the cassava VC activities.