GENDER AND RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY AMONG COCOYAM BASED FARMERS IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study focused on gender and resource use efficiency among cocoyam-based farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 180 respondents, consisting of 80 male and 80 female farmers, for the study. Data were collected using questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistical methods (such as mean, percentages, and frequencies), the Z-test, and Cobb-Douglas function analysis. The result showed that on average, a typical male farmer in the study area is 49 years of age with 8 years of education, a household size of about 7 people, and a monthly income of ₦117,418. Also, a typical female farmer was 51 years old, with 11 years of education, a household size of about 7 people, and a monthly income of ₦111,588. The result of the mean output of male and female cocoyam-based farmers in the study area shows that there is a significant positive difference (P<0.05) in the mean output of male and female cocoyam farmers. The result of the Cobb-Douglas Production function showed that the coefficients for quantity of fertilizer used was positive for female farmers and significant at P<0.01. The result showed that the coefficients of capital input, family labor, farm size, and cocoyam setts planted were positive and significant at P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively. The R ² values of 0.7487 and 0.8921 for male and female farmers imply that 74.87% and 89.21% of the variation in the dependent variables, respectively, was explained by the respective independent variables included in the model. The result also showed that cocoyam farmers use cutlasses, shovels, and wheelbarrows more efficiently than male farmers. The study concluded that there are differences in the mean output and resource use of male and female cocoyam farmers, as well as in the study area. The male cocoyam farmers in the study area had greater outputs than the females. Based on the findings, it was recommended that resource efficiency be improved through the provision of training and orientation to male and female farmers.