Gender Differential in Production inputs used and Profitability in Irish Potato Production in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study compares production inputs used and profitability between male and female Irish potato farmers in Plateau State. Multi-stage sampling technique was used in this study. A sample of 500 farmers was randomly selected using proportionality factor from the 27 villages selected from nine local government areas. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, farm budget and differences of mean. The results revealed that the mean ages were 47 years and 42 years for male and female farmers, respectively, with an average household size of 7 and 5 persons. The differences in mean outputs did not translate to the mean differences in income as the female farmers had higher net farm income with a mean difference of N56, 921.00 per hectare which was negatively significant at P >0.01. The mean gross ratio per hectare of 0.273 and 0.264 showed that 27.30% and 26.40% of the mean total revenue per hectare realized by the farmers went to pay for the total cost of production. The major conclusion from the result of this study is that women incurred higher labour cost compared to men due to reliance on hired labour. However, women made considerably higher profits over their men counterparts.