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