FACTORS AFFECTING GENDER CONTRIBUTIONS TO FARM AND NON-FARM LABOUR IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF KADUNA STATE , NIGERIA

FACTORS AFFECTING GENDER CONTRIBUTIONS TO FARM AND NON-FARM LABOUR IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF KADUNA STATE , NIGERIA

Abstract:

This study was primarily carried out to identify, compare and measure contributions of each gender to farm and non-farm labour in six Local Government Areas in the Southern part of Kaduna State. The study also identified the factors responsible for the time each gender in the area contributes (devotes) to performing these tasks. Three hundred (300) male and female farmers were sampled in the study using structured interview and observation. One hundred and sixty nine (169) of the respondents were male while the remaining one hundred and thirty-one (131) respondents were female. The data collected were coded and analyzed using the computer to determine percentage correlation coefficients, t-test values and to carry out step-wise multiple regression. Results of the study show that, in the study area, both the male and female genders actively participate in farm and non-farm labour and that both genders do actually perform al crop production operations. The time utilized daily and weekly in performing crop production labour vary from 3-7 hours (daily) and 10 – 37 hours (weekly).. Results concerning livestock keeping show that 31 – 45 percent of both genders perform this activity in the project areas. The farmers, on the average, spend 3 to 5 hours daily and 10 to 18 hours weekly to do these activities. Also, non-farm activities are performed by 39 to 59 percent of the women and they spend between 3 to 4 hours performing these activities. On the other hand 20 to 49 percent of their male counteipart spend about 3 to 5 hours doing the same jobs (processing of food crops< transportation and marketing of farm produce). The results aiso show that 8 to 37 percent of the women farmers sampled also perform household labour. They spend 2 to 3 hours daily and 9 to 22 hours on household chores (labour) weekly while only 5 to 30 percent of the men perform these activities. They only spend 3 to 4 hours daily and 9-22 hours weekly performing or doing such jobs. The results also show that the male and female respondents virtually plant the same types of crops but the men grow more maize than the women. Furthermore, the results suggest that a positive correlation individually exists between the time contribution of each gender studied to farm and non-farm labour and the following factors: age, farm size, number of wives, number of male dependants and income. The t-test analysis carried out suggests that the male respondents perform and spend more time on crop production labour while the female farmer spends more time on fruit tree planting, collecting firewood, threshing harvested farm produce, fetching water, looking after children, producing home made goods, trading, cooking, laundry and transporting self and goods to and from the farm to their homes. The study also used the stepwise multiple regression analysis to have significant contribution level of the production of both genders’ income. For example, it was found that out of the twenty-nine (29) variables used in the study, thirteen (13) variables were found to fairly predict farm and non-farm income. These variables are threshing, number of available male dependants, collecting firewood daily, bush burning, maize planting, rearing of small and large animals and labour associated with milking of cows. Finally, the study revealed that both genders in the study area are still contributing to farm and non-farm labour at very low level. This might be due to the non-availabi!ity of extension contact, lack of credit facilities and lack of impact of government programmes as at the time of this study. Also, those variables that predict farm and non-farm labour are few. Hence, effort should be made to revitalize the activities of the agricultural extension services. Also, the government and non-governmental credit facilities should be made available to both genders for farm and non-farm activities in the area. Also, the formulation of programmes and policies that will improve agricultural production should be established by the local, state and federal government sand foreign aid donor agencies to guarantee household and national food security in the study area, in particular, and in Nigeria, at large.

FACTORS AFFECTING GENDER CONTRIBUTIONS TO FARM AND NON-FARM LABOUR IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF KADUNA STATE , NIGERIA

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