Gender differentials in income and resource utilization among maize farmers in the Osogbo Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zone of Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Gender inequality still plagues agricultural production in developing nations. One hundred and twenty (120) maize farmers were selected from the study area using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Both descriptive and inferential statistics, such as a two-sample t-test and ordinary least squares multiple regression, were used to assess the data acquired. The results of the descriptive analysis showed that the average farm size of male and female farmers was determined to be 2.1 ha and 1.7 ha respectively and that 66.7% and 81.8% of male and female farmers, respectively, had formal education. Males had a lower income per hectare (N53.657) than females did (N68.181) on average. The t-test's outcome revealed a significant difference between male and female farmers' cumulative average farm income. Age (p < 0.01), years of farming experience (p < 0.05), farm size (p < 0.01), and tractor operation costs (p < 0.01) were significant income determinants among female maize farmers, whereas years of formal education (p < 0.05), years of farming experience (p < 0.05), farm size (p < 0.01), and labor cost (p < 0.05) were significant income determinants among their male counterparts. The practical value of this study is confirmation that maize farming is a profitable farming enterprise option for both male and female farmers in the study area. Since women are capable of using resources effectively to reach higher levels of farm income than men, the government should launch certain specialized empowerment programs aimed at them. Keywords: sex, maize, resource, utilization, disparity