Gender Roles in Root and Tuber Crops Production in Northern Philippines

Abstract

Literature provides evidence that gender-specific analysis of agricultural production can improve system performance. This study documents and examines the gender division of roles and responsibilities in root and tuber crops production among indigenous peoples in the Northern Philippines using secondary data, focus group discussions with 83 men and 101 women farmers, field visits, and direct observations. The study covered 11 provinces and 13 indigenous communities: Ibalois, Kankana-eys, Applai-Kankana-eys, Kalanguyas, Isnegs, Biga-Kalingas, Masadiit-Tingguians, Iyattukas, Ivatans, Bagos, Bugkalots, Aetas, and Buhid-Mangyans, as well as the Kapampangan and Ilocano rootcrop farmers in Central Luzon. Gender roles and gender division of labor are mostly similar among selected ethnolinguistic groups in different landscapes. Women’s labor participation with men in land preparation is higher in swidden farming, rainfed sloping field, and dry land, which are unfavorable environments. Men dominate activities that require physical strength such as land preparation, spraying chemicals, and hauling of inputs and harvested crops. Women in subsistence and small farms participate more in field activities. Also, in indigenous groups, women are traditionally exposed to physical labor compared with those in irrigated areas, wherein the farming households are better off. Results also revealed that men dominate crop maintenance in commercial production of rootcrops among Kapampangans and Ilocanos, but not for Benguet wherein both men and women almost equally execute potato production activities. Findings imply that policy and development workers can capitalize on the active indigenous women labor participation in matters related to root and tuber crops production as a strategy for food security.