Gas flaring and female farmers’ productivity in Bayelsa state

In the ecologically sensitive landscape of the Niger Delta, gas flaring represents a significant negative externality that destabilizes the microeconomic resilience of rural agrarian households. This study empirically examined the correlation between gas flaring intensity and the agricultural productivity of female farmers in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. While women constitute the majority of the agricultural labor force, they faced a disproportionate productivity tax due to flare-induced soil degradation and altered crop physiology. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combined spatial analysis with a quasi-experimental econometric design, comparing high-exposure zones (0–10 km from flare sites) with low-exposure control groups across three Local Government Areas. Findings revealed a significant divergence between physical food availability and economic access, as atmospheric heat and acid rain systematically reduce the Total Factor Productivity of staple crops like cassava and vegetables. The study identified two critical mechanisms of economic erosion: Increased travel distances and reduced time for non-farm activities contribute to time poverty, further exacerbating their economic challenges. These factors exacerbated time poverty and reinforced a cycle of gendered vulnerability. The study concluded that high educational attainment among women is currently nullified by structural barriers and environmental stress, rendering existing gender-neutral policies ineffective. The research recommended the establishment of flare-free zones and the implementation of gender-responsive agricultural subsidies to stabilize the rural economy and align Nigeria’s industrial objectives with UN Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 12.