Appraising the Role of Women in Agro-Institutions in Nigeria Since 1988: A Case Study of Women in Mangu LGA of Plateau State

The role of women in agricultural production in Nigeria is prominent. They play various parts in agricultural activities ranging from production, processing, and marketing since pre-colonial times. In Mwaghavul, women have taken the leading role in agricultural production especially during the colonial period due to factors associated with colonial administration. Today,Mwaghavul women are dominant both in activities and number, but despite the leading role they play production is hampered by a number of factors. The focus of this research, therefore, is appraising the role of women in agro-institutions in Nigeria since 1988: A Case Study of women in Mangu LGA of Plateau State; Constraints and Challenges. Primary and secondary sources were consulted, and the multi-disciplinary research method was used. The research portend that women with about 70 percent of the farming population, representing about 60-70 percent of most farming activities, remain an integral part of agricultural development and food security in Mangu and Nigeria at large. But this position is under threat by the issue of gender in agricultural production as reflected in the area of ownership, and management of agricultural productive resources like land, inputs, and access to loan, amongst others. Gender inequality has affected agricultural production in Mangu, resulting to food insecurity. Therefore, should the government address gender stratification in agriculture, which has caused a decline in women productivity, the issue would be halted, bringing about increased food production, hunger reduction, and food security.