ISSN 2360-798X
Abstract
Accepted 9th July, 2014
Inequalities limit ability to optimize production and productivity. The study assessed gender access to and control of agricultural resources among farmers in the south zone of Edo State, Nigeria. The sample for the study comprised two hundred (200) male and female heads of farming households. Sample was drawn through a multi-stage process using simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using means, percentages and T-test was used to test the hypotheses. Findings show that male farmers had more access (=33.65) and control ( = 28.90) of crop production resources than the women farmers access (= 28.57), control ( = 23.87) while women farmers had more access (= 26.24) and control ( = 24.27) of livestock production resources. Result of the T-test revealed that there was significant difference between men and women farmers’ access (T=2.545: p≤ .05) and control (T=3.362: p≤.05) of crop production resources. There was also a significant difference between men and women farmers’ control (T=2.058: p≤ .05) over livestock production resources. Respondents had similar constraints, but the intensity was higher among the women farmers. The study concludes that women were highly disadvantaged. It recommends gender mainstreaming in community and governmental activities and policies.
Keywords: Gender, inequalities, Access, Control, Agricultural resources, Nigeria