Gender Dynamics, Agribusiness Participation, and Livelihood Outcomes among Tea Farmers in Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines how gender dynamics influence agribusiness participation, access to land,
credit, and productive resources, and their implications for rural livelihoods and household food
security among household tea farmers in Sardauna Local Government Area, Taraba State,
Nigeria. Unlike prior research that focuses broadly on smallholder agriculture, this study
explicitly links gendered access to land and credit with participation in tea agribusiness,
highlighting socio-institutional barriers that affect men, women, and youth differently. Primary
data were collected from 75 tea-farming households using structured questionnaires and
analysed with descriptive statistics, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC), and Chisquare
tests at a 5% significance level. Results indicate that tea farming is the predominant
livelihood activity (70.67%) in the Mambilla Plateau, with most respondents aged 31–50 years,
married (76%), and managing households averaging five members. Despite this, 84% of
farmers had limited formal education, and access to institutional credit was inadequate,
constraining agribusiness participation. While 81% reported access to land, only 20%
possessed legally recognized rights, reflecting customary tenure systems and gender inequities.
PPMC revealed a weak negative correlation (r = –0.13, p > 0.05) between land size and
productivity, while Chi-square analysis showed no significant association (χ² = 1.045, p = 0.31)
between land access and household food security. The study demonstrates that genderresponsive
land titling, inclusive credit schemes, and targeted training for women and youth
are critical for enhancing equitable participation, improving productivity, and strengthening
household food security in tea agribusiness, offering practical insights for policy and rural
development interventions.