Analysis of Gender Differential in Resource Utilization and Efficiency of Tomato Production in Kuje Area Council of Abuja, Nigeria

This study examined gender differentials in resource utilization and efficiency of tomato production in Kuje Area Council, Abuja. Primary data were obtained from 200 farmers using a multistage sampling technique, and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics, including stochastic frontier production analysis. The findings revealed that male farmers were slightly older (mean age=42.1 years) compared to females (39.3 years) and has higher years of farming experience (11.6 vs. 9.4 years). Men accessed more credit (₦158,000) than women (₦112,000) and had longer cooperative membership (6.8 vs. 4.6 years). Resource accessibility showed clear disparities: males recorded higher mean scores for land (4.00), cooperative support (3.80), and better access to farm inputs (4.00), while females reported lower values, especially for cooperative support (2.20) and adopting new technologies and farming innovations (2.20). Profitability analysis over 2022–2024 indicated higher Net Farm Income (₦171,067 for men vs. ₦133,067 for women) and Benefit–Cost Ratio (1.86 vs. 1.82), confirming profitability but with stronger gains for men. Stochastic frontier results indicated sub-optimal efficiency for both groups; however, women demonstrated higher mean technical efficiency (0.71) compared to men (0.55), reflecting better resource use despite limited access. Efficiency was significantly influenced by seed, fertilizer, seed, fertilizer, farm size, agrochemicals, and labour. The major constraints included high input costs (81.7% male; 78.8% female), limited credit (70.8% male; 85.0% female), poor storage (73.3% male; 81.3% female), and marketing challenges (75.0% male; 82.5% female). The study highlights pronounced gender disparities in access, profitability, and challenges, although women exhibited relatively higher production efficiency.