Gendered Economics of Biofuel Supply Chain: Assessing Barriers, Incentives and Income Equity for Women Smallholders in Bioenergy Feedstock Production in Oyo State, Nigeria

The transition towards renewable energy offers opportunities for agricultural diversification, rural employment and improved livelihoods. The extent to which women smallholder farmers (who generally have less access to production inputs than men in Nigeria) benefit from bioenergy feedstock production depends on their access to land, finance, agricultural inputs, technical information, market linkages and remunerative prices. Against this background, this study examined the gendered economics of the biofuel supply chain, focusing on barriers, incentives and income equity among women smallholders in Oyo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and used primary data from 250 women smallholder farmers sampled using a multistage technique in the study area. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, a barrier severity index, binary logistic regression and multiple regression in STATA 16. Key findings revealed that limited access to credit, insecure land tenure, inadequate market information and weak contractual arrangements are important constraints. In contrast, access to extension services, cooperative membership and reliable buyer contracts are associated with more favorable market participation and income outcomes among respondents. The study contributes a gender-focused framework for assessing whether emerging bioenergy value chains can generate inclusive rural economic opportunities. The study recommended gender-responsive agricultural finance, transparent out-grower contracts, improved extension services, collective marketing and mechanisms for fair price determination to strengthen participation and biofuel feedstock production in the study area.