Gender
Differentials in Adoption of Improved Maize Production Technologies in Mbeya
Region of the southern Highlands of Tanzania
Wilfred Mwangi, Hugo
Verkuijl and Shekania
Bisanda
Abstract:
Gender differentials in the adoption of improved maize production technologies
were analysed using the logit regression model. Two dependent variables that
constitute the main components of the improved maize production technology were
used. These were: improved seed varieties and fertiliser. The results indicated
that the adoption of improved maize seed and fertiliser is biased by gender,
where female-headed households adopt the technologies less. The number of
cattle, extension services and years of education had a positive influence on
the adoption of improved maize seed for male-headed households, while the use of
organic fertiliser, household size, district (Mbozi), and radio ownership had a
positive influence on the adoption of inorganic fertiliser for male-headed
households. The number of cattle, years of education, extension services, and
area under maize did not affect the adoption of improved maize seed or
fertiliser for female-headed households, mainly due to significantly less access
of female heads to these resources or services. Therefore, policy should address
gender disparities in access to extension services, formal education and cattle
ownership that exist because of socio-cultural and institutional factors
limiting the adoption of technologies by female-headed households.