GENDER DIFFERENTIALS IN LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY AMONG SMALL-HOLDER CASSAVA FARMERS IN IDEATO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined gender differentials in labour productivity among small-holder cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) farmers in Ideato Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria in 2008. The study data was collected through a multi-stage random sampling technique from 120 cassava farmers, consisting of 60 males and 60 females. For the male farmers, the coefficients for household size and credit were negatively related to labour productivity and significant at 10.0% level of probability. For the female farmers, the coefficient for farm size was negative, while access to credit was positive; both were significant at 1.0% level of probability. The coefficients for education and age were negative and significant at 5.0% level of probability for all the farmers. The results call for policies aimed at land reforms by making more lands and easy accessibility to credit available to women younger and more agile for increased labour productivity