Assessment of Gender Disparities on Access to Agricultural Resources in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study assessed gender disparities on access to agricultural resources in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Specifically, the research analyzed the socio-economic characteristics of women farmers, identified the extent of gender-based differences in resource access, assessed the factors influencing women’s access to agricultural resources, and evaluated how these disparities affect their livelihoods. Data were collected from sampled women farmers and analyzed using descriptive statistics, percentages, means, Probit regression, and OLS regression models. The findings revealed that the farmers are predominantly in their active and productive years, with an average age of 42.6 years, moderate household size of 6 people, and an average farming experience of 12 years. Most of the farmers are married (68.9%) and smallholders, cultivating an average farm size of 2.1 hectares. Although a fair proportion had at least primary (26.7%) or secondary education (33.7%), 20% of the respondents had no formal education. Result on gender disparities in accessing agricultural resources revealed that women face significant disadvantages in accessing land (46.7%), credit (40%), extension services (33.3%), farm inputs (46.7%), technology (44.4%), and markets (73.3%) compared to their male counterparts. The widest gaps were observed in land ownership, technology access, and market participation, confirming that systemic and institutional barriers continue to marginalize women in agriculture. The regression results further established that education, income, access to credit, extension services, membership in farm organizations, and access to market information were the most significant factors influencing farmers’ access to agricultural resources. Also, the OLS result showed that disparities in education, land ownership, credit availability, market access, and technology adoption significantly undermine women’s agricultural livelihoods. Conversely, access to these resources was positively and strongly associated with improved agricultural income and welfare.