Multi-country evidence of gender gaps in sustainable rice cultivation performance indicators in sub-Saharan Africa
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Africa Rice Center
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A comprehensive understanding of gender gaps in sustainable rice production is essential
for designing interventions that promote both equity and environmental stewardship in rice-
based agricultural systems. This study investigates gender disparities in sustainable rice
platform agronomic performance indicators (SRP PIs)– yield, net profit, labor productivity,
and nitrogen and phosphorus partial factor productivities (PFPN and PFPP, respectively)
across ten sub-Saharan African countries (Burkina Faso, Burundi, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda).
Data were collected from 3,081 farmers (2,042 male and 1,039 female) in irrigated lowland
(IL), rainfed lowland (RL), and rainfed upland (RU) rice systems in the ten countries. The
analysis revealed that gender gaps in PIs varied widely by country and production system.
While the overall average yield gap (compare to the top 10 percentile) difference between
male (2,587 t ha-1) and female (3,028 t ha-1) farmers was not significant, women
experienced a higher average yield gap (48%) compared to men (41%), with countries
such as Burkina Faso, Burundi, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Uganda showing
notably higher yield gaps for women. Net profit disparities were observed, particularly in IL
in Burkina Faso (32%) and rainfed systems in Nigeria (28% for both RL and RU). Women’s
lower use of equipment compared to men contributed to substantial labor productivity
gaps, especially in Burkina Faso (28%) and Nigeria (26–46%). Additionally, over half of
both male and female farmers recorded PFPN below optimal levels (40 kg grain kg -1 N),
while 54% farmers exceeded desirable PFPP (250 kg grain kg-1 P), with women comprising
24% of this group. Random forest-based analysis identified labor conditions improvement,
access to certified seeds, nutrients, and irrigation, and capacity building as critical steps
toward enhancing female farmers’ yields and profitability and reducing gender disparities.
A sister report focusing on SRP Standard using the same dataset is presented in a
separate documen
Palabras clave
rice, gender, women, research