Gender differentiation in Daily Farm Wage Rates in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to determine if significant difference existed in gender daily wage rates (wage rate/day) in farm production activities. Multi-stage technique was used for sample selection while structured questionnaires were used for data collection. A total of 168 farmers were randomly interviewed in four Agricultural Zones (42 respondents in each agricultural zone). Data were analyzed using two way mixed factorial analysis of variance and mean separation was done at 5% probability level. Results revealed that there was significant difference (P < 0.05) in the gender daily wage rates. The daily wage paid to an adult male (N950 = $ 6.47) was significantly higher than the wage paid to an adult female (N692.08 = $ 4.55), young male (N683.33 = $4.73) and young female (N562 = $ 3.70). Young females received the least daily wage. Generally, the grand mean daily wage was N734.82 ($ 4.86). Furthermore, there was significant (P < 0.05) main effect of location meaning that there were locational differences in the average daily wage rate. The Eastern Agricultural Zone had the highest daily wage (N798.94) On the contrary, there was no significant (P > 0.05) interaction effect between gender daily wage rates and locations. Based on the findings, the paper concluded that there was significant difference in gender daily wage rates. It was recommended that the study should be replicated in other places for cross-validation purposes.