Gender differential in leafy vegetable production in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

There exists gender imbalance in resource access and utilization in agricultural enterprises which predisposes women to frustration and marginalization. This study examined gender differences in leafy vegetable production in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria.Primary data were collected from 120 male and female leafy vegetable farmers with the aid of structured questionnaire using multi-stage sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that half (50.0%) of the male farmers had post-primary school education while less than one-third (31.0%) of the female farmers had post-primary school education.More than half (65.4%) and52.4% of the male and female farmers, respectively, had no contact with extension agents. More than half (66.7%) and majority (73.8%) of the male and female farmers, respectively financed their farm enterprise with their personal savings.It was found that labour utilization by male farmers differs significantly from the use of labour by female farmers (t=3.79, P≤0.001), while there was no significant difference in farm income among the male and female leafy vegetable farmers.It was concluded that leafy vegetable farmers differ in the modalities of their production on gender basis even though they acquire fairly the same income from the enterprise. This study recommends that the government should assist the farmers with credit of low interest rate and credit institution too should be encouraged to do so. Government should revitalize extension services and regular training of the farmers by the extension agents is crucial for farmers’ productivity.