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
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Date
2000-12
Authors
Ajayi, Lenti Sidikatu
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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.
Description
A Dissertation Submitted to the Post-Graduate School, Ahmadu Bello University in
partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Agricultural
Extension and Rural Sociology).
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology
Faculty ol Agriculture
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Nigeria
Keywords
FACTORS,, GENDER,, CONTRIBUTIONS,, FARM,, NON-FARM,, LABOUR,, SOUTHERN,, KADUNA STATE ,, NIGERIA.