GENDER DIFFERENTIALS IN PRODUCTIVITY AND POVERTY OF RICE FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study on the gender differentials in productivity and poverty was conducted in Niger State, Nigeria. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select 130 male and 106 female household heads involved in rice farming. A well-structured questionnaire and interview schedule was used to obtain information on socio economic characteristics and other quantitative variables of interest for the study. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, productivity index, ordinary least square Foster Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) model, Logit regression and Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition technique. The result of productivity analysis revealed that male and female household heads had a mean productivity of 3.62 and 3.05 respectively, with male being more productive at higher level. Findings from the ordinary least square regression estimates reveals farm size, labour, education, household size, use of improved seed, credit and capital depreciation were significant determinants of productivity for the households. Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition of the differential in productivity was most accounted for by the Coefficient effect (120.52%) and in favour of male headed households, poverty was higher among female headed households. Poverty incidence, poverty depth, and poverty severity of 0.27, 0.5, and 0.25 respectively, were higher than that of male headed households with 0.14, 0.1262 and 0.0159 respectively. Education, household size, extension, credit, occupation, access to credit and income were significant determinants of poverty. Similarly, OaxacaBlinder

decomposition of poverty revealed endowment effect (64.06%) accounted for a major cause of poverty differential revealed which was in favour of the male headed households. Problem of storage, insecurity, and inadequate access to improved varieties were the most severe constraints faced by the male household heads while problem of storage, poor road network, and insecurity were found to be most severe among female household heads. Based on these, the study concluded that male are more productive than the female rice farmers, poverty is higher among female headed households, productivity differentials is mainly due to coefficient effect (structural effect). Poverty differential is majorly due to differences in endowment effect. Lack of storage and insecurity are major constraints faced by the farmers. It was recommended that government and traditional institutions should promote equality through the removal of all forms of barriers and limitations which reduces the productivity of the females. Women should diversify into other sources of income generating ventures to boost their income and reduce the poverty among the female headed households. Government should provide the necessary infrastructure such as storage facilities, good roads, and irrigation facilities as this would improve the productivity of the farmers.