Differences in Female and Male Farmers’ Participation in Arable Crop Production Activities in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed gender differences in farmers’ participation in arable crop production activities in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A total of 144 arable crop farmers comprising of 72 male and 72 females were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire and analysed using frequency and percentage, Mean statistics and linear regression.  Results showed that factors that influenced the male’s participation were age (t=-6.090) and household size (t=3.529) whereas only age (t=-2.164) influenced the female’s participation in the process. Furthermore, a significant difference exists in the level of participation (t=13.684) and constraints faced (t=-10.326) by male and female farmers. The study deduced that male farmers participated more in arable crop Production activities than their female counterparts. Training aids should be tailored to meet the specific needs of female and male farmer