Gender Analysis of Labor Input among Yam Farmers in Paiko Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined gender-based labor input among 60 farming households in Paiko Local government area of Niger State. Simple random technique was used to select 60 households (30 male and 30 female). Primary data were collected using simple random sampling technique and a structured questionnaire was used as instrument. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data collected. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the male and female respondents (76.63%and 78.3 respectively) were aged 20-40 years. The labor input of men was statistically significant than of the women. The output of the men was significant than that of the women. The major constraints of yam farming to the male yam farmers were lack of mechanization, transportation and disease. On the other hand the major constraints faced by the farmers were mechanization; time spent in off-farm activities and transportation. It was recommended that women should also have access to extension services to teach them about new farming techniques. Government should designed policies that will help yam farmers to easily access loans at low interest through micro finance bank. In order to enhance female labor productivity for greater output, farming inducement packages should be instituted. Such packages targeted at women farmers should include easy access to agricultural credit, equal access to farm land and provision of appropriate technologies for yam production.

Key words: Gender, Labor, Yam, Farmers, production, Paiko