ABSTRACT

The broad objective of this study is to comparatively analyze gender accessibility to productive resources in ginger production for alleviating poverty in Kaduna State. Reconnaissance survey was conducted with the assistance of extension workers. A sample of 129 male and 121 female farmers were selected to give a total of 250 ginger farmers randomly selected from Kachia, Kagarko and Jaba LGAs. Primary data were obtained by the use of structured questionnaire that was administered to ginger farmers. Descriptive statistics, Regression model, Foster, Greer, Thorbecke and Logit models were used to analyze the data. The result showed the mean farm size of 2.7 and 1.79 ha were cultivated by the male and female farmers respectively. It was further discovered that about 58% of the male farmers had no contact with extension agents; likewise 73% of the female farmers had no contacts. The average farm income from ginger of the male was N190,415 while, income of the female farmers was N93,147. The average score of 3.8 obtained for men and 1.43 obtained for women in terms of their access to land indicates that women do not have access to land as men. The factors that had significant influence on gender accessibility to land resource in the study area were household size, income, cooperative association and access to credit. Result on farmers' perception of poverty, showed the mean score of 4.1 indicating farmers' agreement with the assertion that poverty is a state where by poor people are not regarded. The poverty incidence as shown by the headcount index was 40% for the males headed households while it was 68% among the female headed households. The logit result shows that accessibility to productive resources has effects on the poverty status of the farmers significantly at P<0.0 1. Based on this, the null hypothesis which states gender accessibility to productive resources has no significant effects on the poverty status of ginger farmers was therefore rejected and the alternative hypothesis accepted. Cost of production and provision of credit facilities are the major challenges indicated by the farmers. Prices of ginger are discouraging and make ginger farming less attractive. Access to extension services is lacking in the study area, lack of good road and high cost of transportation prevents farmers from carrying their produce on time. It was recommended that extension services should be improved in the area especially to the ginger farmers to enhance their productivity which was found to be lower than the expected yield of the varieties being planted in the area. It is recommended that ginger farmers should be encouraged to organize themselves into viable groups so as facilitate the farmers' access to resources. Most of the ginger production constraints encountered by farmers will easily be over come through group efforts rather than individual effort