Women play a prominent role in agricultural production. The extent of their involvement in agricultural production, and their contribution to the household food basket vary from one ethnic group to another. However, there are characteristics which are common throughout. Also the reduction of the fallow period has made land clearing and preparation easier and increased women's involvement in such activities. They are almost entirely responsible for processing agricultural commodities.
Women also play a dominant role in marketing of cassava produce.
They assist their husbands in marketing cassava and other crops and also market their own crops. In many cases, women buy the agricultural produce from their husbands and other farmers, and market this at a profit. At times, they buy cassava in the soil, harvest, process, and market. It is necessary to ensure that the shift from manual to mechanical processing does not put them in a disadvantaged position in terms of employment and incomeearning opportunities. It is therefore important to consider gender issues in designing mechanized processing facilities.