Impact of Gender Disparity on Women’s Participation in Smallholder Agricultural Production and Household Income in Kaduna State, Nigeria


Authors : Dr. Jummai Grace Tabat

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 10 - October

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2rhd6kb3

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/y25rpnyy

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25oct862

PlumX Metrics

Semantic Scholar

ResearchGate

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Note : Google Scholar may take 30 to 40 days to display the article.

Abstract : Today’s society requires that men and women be treated without biasness in all aspects of human endeavour be it agriculture, education, resources, legislation or policy formulations. This research study critically assessed the impact of gender disparity on women’s participation in smallholder agricultural production and household income in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Six objectives, six research questions and four null hypotheses were raised for the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The total population for the study was one thousand four hundred (1,400) from which two hundred and ten (210) smallholder farmers representing fifteen percent (15%) of the population were randomly selected from the three senatorial districts of the state which served as sample size for the study. Data were collected and analysed based on the questionnaire developed by the researcher, validated by experts and correctly filled and returned by the two hundred and ten (210) respondents. Descriptive statistics (Frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) was adopted in addressing the six (6) research questions raised, while Person Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was also used in testing the four (4) null hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level of significance. Findings from the study revealed persistent biasness, inaccessibility to farmlands, credit, inputs, trainings and modern technology as some of the challenges women are facing in their efforts to ensure food production and income generation for their households and the society at large. Based on the findings, recommendations given included closing the gender gap in land accessibility, promoting regular training and use of appropriate technology, provision of soft loan, inputs, and financial support to smallholder women farmers.

References :

  1. Action Aid (2011). How Supporting Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Makes the Difference. Farming as Equals Report. Investing in Women Smallholder Farmers.
  2. Adebisi, A. & Monisola, A. T. (2012). Motivations for Women’s Involvement in Urban Agriculture in Nigeria. Asian   J Agric Rural Dev.;2(3).
  3. Adekanye, T. O, Otitolaiye, J. O & Opaluwa, H. I. (2009). Food and Agricultural Production in Nigeria: Some Empirical Considerations for Engendering Economic Policy for Africa. Paper Prepared for Presentation at IAFFE Conference on Feminist Economics Boston Massachusetts, USA (26th–28th).
  4. AGRA (2012). Gender Strategy and Action Plan. Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.
  5. Anderson, C. L., Reynolds, T. W., Biscaye, P., Patwardhan, V., & Schmidt, C. (2021). Economic benefits of empowering women in agriculture: Assumptions and evidence. The Journal of Development Studies, 57(2), 193-208.
  6. Asaju, K. (2013). Women Participation in National Development in Nigeria: The imperative of Education. Journal of Public Administration and Governance 3 (1):57.
  7. Ball, J. A. (2020). Women farmers in developed countries: a literature review. Agriculture and Human Values, 37(1), 147-160.
  8. Burlingame, B. & Termine, P. (2022). Viewpoint: The case for a six-dimensional food security frame work. Food Policy Volume 106
  9. Doss, C. R., Kovarik, C., Peterman, A., Quisumbing, A.R., & Van den Bold, M. (2015). Gender inequalities in ownership and control of land in Africa: Myth and reality. Agricultural Economics 46(3). DOI:10.1111/agec.12171
  10.        Doss, C.R. (1999). Twenty-Five Years of Research on Women Farmers in Africa: Lessons and Implications Paper ID: SUB159112 1872. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index. Retrieved 26/7/202
  11. Dunne, C., Siettou, C., & Wilson, P. (2021). Investigating the economic visibility and contribution of UK women in agriculture through a systematic review of international literature. Journal of Rural Studies, 86, 330-345.
  12. Dwomoh, D., Agyabeng, K., Tuffour, H.O., Tetteh, A., Godi, A. & Aryeetey, R. (2023).  Modeling Inequality in Access to Agricultural Productive Resources and Socioeconomic Determinants of Household Food Security in Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study. AgricFoodEcon.;11(1):24.
  13. Firafis, H. (2016). Factors Affecting Women Farmers’ Participation in Agricultural Extension Services for Improving the Production in Rural District of Dendi West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. J CultSocDev; 21:30-41.
  14. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2011). Women in Agriculture - Making a Strong Case for Investing in Women. Rome: FAO, p. 56-60.
  15. Joshua, S. & Omahas, B. (2023). Socio-Economic Determinants of Women Participation in Agriculture in Olama-boro Local Government Area, Kogi State. WukariIntStudJ.;7(2):152-77.
  16. Malemba, A. (2023). Smallholder Farming.  At the Centre of our Food Systems
  17. McCombes, S. (2023). Descriptive Research/Definition, Types, Methods & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved October 17, 2025, https:www.scribbr.com/methodology/descritive research/
  18. Mgbako, M. & Nwamba, H. O. (2013). The Role of Women in Cassava Production in Awgu L.G.A, of Enugu State, Nigeria. American-Eurasian Journal of Agronomy 6(1): 19-24.
  19. Mgbenka, R. N. & Mbah, E. N. (2016). A Review of Smallholder Farming in Nigeria: Need for Transformation. International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Studies Vol.3, No.2, pp.43-54
  20. Muzari, W. (2013). Gender Disparities and the Role of Women in Smallholder Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value: 6.14|Impact Factor: 5.611. Vol. 5 Issue 1. www.ijsr.net Lice. Retrieved 22/4/2024
  21. Ngodoo, A. C. & Idisi, P. O. (2014). Inequality Gaps: Issues for Smallholder Farming in Nigeria. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, Vol. 4 No. 11(1).
  22. Nwachukwu, C.N., Samuel, P., & Agwu, N.M. (2021). Determinants of Rate of accessibility to Productive Resources among Poultry Farmers in Obowo Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria: A Gender Situation Analyses. Nigeria Agricultural Journal, 52(3), 351-357.https://doi.org/10.4314/naj.v52i3.
  23. Odoemenem, I. U. & Obinne, C. P. O. (2010). Assessing the factors influencing the utilization of improved cereal crop production technologies by small scale farmers in Nigeria. http://www.indjst.org/archive/vol.3.issue.2/innocent-17.pdf. Retrieved 26/7/2025
  24. Ogunlela, Y. I., & Mukhtar, A. A. (2009). Gender issues in agriculture and rural development in Nigeria: The role of women. Humanity & social sciences Journal, 4(1), 19-30.
  25. Okereke, C. (2010). Gender Equality and Women Empowerment. Nigeria, Akutaenwere Press.
  26. Okojie, C., Monye-Emina, A., Eghafona, K., Osaghae, G. & Ehiakhamen, J. O. (2010). Institutional environment and access to microfinance by self-employed women in the rural areas of Edo State. International Food Policy Research Institute. Online: ISSN 2058-910. International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Studies. 2(3), www.eajournals.org. Retrieved 26/7/2025
  27. Ola, K. O. (2020).  Micro-Determinants of Women’s Participation   in   Agricultural   Value   Chain:  Evidence from Rural Households in Nigeria. The Palgrave Handbook of Agricultural and Rural Development in Africa.  2020;553-570.
  28. Patil, B., & Babus, V. S. (2018). Role of women in agriculture. Int J Applied Res, 4(12), 109-114.
  29. Rahman, S. A. (2008). Women’s Involvement in Agriculture in Northern and Southern Kaduna State, Nigeria. Journal of Gender Studies 17(1)17-26
  30. [Save the Children Federation (2024). Gender Discrimination Causes Inequality. www.savethechildren.org/us/charity-stories/how-gender-discrimination-impacts-boys-and-girls. Retrieved 26/7/2024.
  31. Tabat, J. G. (2019). Women Education: A Necessary Tool for National Development. A Paper Presented at the 15th National Conference of Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE, Nigeria, Held at Women Development Centre FCT, Abuja.
  32. Tabat, J. G. (2020). Women Education and Gender Equity for National Development. International Journal of the Forum for African Women Educationalist (IJOFAWE)1
  33. Tabat, J. G & Tabat Y. A. (2024). Functional Education and Effective Security: Antidotes for Socio-Economic Development Among Families in Kaduna State. A Paper Presented at the National Conference of Home Economics Professional Association of Nigeria (HEPAN), At University of Ilori, Kwara State, Nigeria
  34. Tiruneh, A., Tesfaye, T., Mwangi, W. & Verkuijl, H. (2001). Gender Differentials in Agricultural Production and Decision-Making Among Smallholders in Ada, Lume and Gimbichu Woredas of the Central Highlands of Ethiopia. CIMMYT.
  35. Udemezue, J. C. & Odia, F. N. (2021). Gender Disparities and Roles of Women in Agriculture in the South East Nigeria. Biomedical journal of scientific and technical research. Vol.36 issue 4. https://biomedres.us/. Retrieved, 12/4/2025
  36. UN (2013). Gender Equality Briefing Kit.   The United Nations Theme Group, Nigeria.

Today’s society requires that men and women be treated without biasness in all aspects of human endeavour be it agriculture, education, resources, legislation or policy formulations. This research study critically assessed the impact of gender disparity on women’s participation in smallholder agricultural production and household income in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Six objectives, six research questions and four null hypotheses were raised for the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The total population for the study was one thousand four hundred (1,400) from which two hundred and ten (210) smallholder farmers representing fifteen percent (15%) of the population were randomly selected from the three senatorial districts of the state which served as sample size for the study. Data were collected and analysed based on the questionnaire developed by the researcher, validated by experts and correctly filled and returned by the two hundred and ten (210) respondents. Descriptive statistics (Frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) was adopted in addressing the six (6) research questions raised, while Person Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was also used in testing the four (4) null hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level of significance. Findings from the study revealed persistent biasness, inaccessibility to farmlands, credit, inputs, trainings and modern technology as some of the challenges women are facing in their efforts to ensure food production and income generation for their households and the society at large. Based on the findings, recommendations given included closing the gender gap in land accessibility, promoting regular training and use of appropriate technology, provision of soft loan, inputs, and financial support to smallholder women farmers.

CALL FOR PAPERS


Paper Submission Last Date
31 - December - 2025

Video Explanation for Published paper

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe