Farm Economic Efficiency Gap Due to Gender Discrimination-Evidence from Usaid Markets II Programme Participating Small-Scale Farmers in Kano State of Nigeria

Abstract

The study explores the influence of gender discrimination on the agricultural economic efficiency gap between women and men farmers in Nigeria's Kano State, as part of the USAID MARKETS II initiative. A structured questionnaire supported by an interview schedule was utilized to extract cross-sectional data from 189 participants selected by a multi-stage sample technique using a simple cost-route strategy. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to the acquired data. Gender disparity has both an effect and an impact on the farm economic efficiency of women farmers, putting them at a disadvantage compared to their male counterparts, according to scientific research. Besides, the extension gap which affected the farm economic efficiency of the women farmers compared to the men is due to gender stereotype. Further, in isolating the impact of gender differential, it was observed that gaps of technical and cost efficiencies between the two genders owe majorly to gender discrimination. In addition, both gender discrimination and the endowment factor had an equal contribution to the yield gap between the two groups. However, the profit efficiency gap between the genders is due majorly to endowment effect. In general, it can be concluded that gender discrimination, i.e. gender inequality and gender stereotype, has slowed the active engagement of women beneficiaries in the program, hence impeding the continuation of their farm businesses. As a result, in order for the program to be sustainable, it should include a gender budget in its strategy, allowing women to break the curse of gender inequality, which has limited access to and control over productive resources.