Understanding Women’s Perception on Participating in Irish Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Marketing

A Pathway to Gender Economic Equality in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines women’s perception on participating in Irish potato marketing as a pathway to achieving gender economic equality in Plateau State, Nigeria. Women play significant role in Irish potato production, but their participation in marketing the crop remains low, despite their potential to boost local and national economies. There is the need to address this gap to avoid economic inequality and gender under participation. The study employed quantitative methods based on the philosophy of positivism. Data was collected using structured questionnaires administered to 350 respondents, measured on a five-point Likert scale. Analytical techniques such as descriptive statistics and factor analysis were applied using SPSS 23 software. Result of socio-economic profile reveals that most respondents (29.3%) were aged 41-50, with 47.6% being married, 57.3% having a household size of five to six. A significant portion (35.9%) have secondary education, 48.9% are farmers, and 61.6% have six to ten years of marketing experience. The result of factor analysis shows strong sampling adequacy (KMO =0.828) and significant correlations among variables (Bartlett’s Test, p < 0.001). Five significant factors collectively explain 67.05% of the variance in women’s perceptions on participating in Irish potato marketing, with the largest contribution from forms of the market (21.81%), followed by access to markets (16.12%), marketing experience (11.78%), marketing information (10.27%), and intention (7.07%). The eigenvalues greater than 1 for all the five factors confirm their influence on women’s perceptions on participating in Irish potato marketing. The study draws special attention to the need for policies aimed at improving access to market information, addressing sociocultural barriers, and providing supportive environments, in order to promote gender economic equality through greater participation of women in the Irish potato value chain.