A gender analysis of poverty profile of rural farming households in North Central, Nigeria

This study used 510 representative households to profile the poverty status of rural farming households in North Central Nigeria based on gender of the household heads. The Foster, Greer and Thorbecke class of weighted poverty indices as well as social indicators were used as analytical tools. The results of the study showed that the female-headed households were disadvantaged on all counts with poverty incidence of 63 percent as against 59 percent for male-headed households. In terms of asset ownership they were equally disadvantaged; only 33 percent had access to farm land as against 81 percent for their male-headed counterparts. The widow sub-group of female-headed households was particularly disadvantaged despite remittances from friends and relations. Monthly emolument as safety net was recommended for this particularly vulnerable sub-group of households. Keyword: Poverty measures, female-headed households, male-headed households, consumption, social indicators. INTRODUCTION Poverty a severe and endemic phenomenon is on the increase in Nigeria. Its incidence as recorded by NBS, (2006) approximated 64 per cent in 2006. The pattern of poverty in Nigeria shows the pre-eminence of agriculture and rural dominance with eighty-five per cent of the rural households being poor in 2006 (NBS, 2006). Among the numerous causes of poverty is low or fluctuating levels of labour productivity in agrarian-based-livelihoods (Belshaw, 2002). The renewed interest in agriculture in meeting poverty reduction targets therefore stems from the contribution the sector can make to the Nigerian economy. Agriculture is the source of food, livelihood, market, raw materials, foreign exchange earnings and savings. However, the ability of the Nigerian agricultural sector to meet these roles is of concern, considering the high poverty level inherent in the sector. The inter-linkages between gender and poverty have also been major issues in the role and effectiveness of policy interventions in poverty reduction in developing countries. Women have been known to be highly represented among the poor with lack of access to social and human capital to participate in development and to contribute to higher living standards for their families (World Bank, 2001). Poverty assessment studies in Nigeria have focused mostly on all households (Odusola 1997 and Anyanwu 1997). Scanty literature however exists on female-headed households and poverty and challenges faced by rural women. This study therefore carried out a gender analysis of poverty profile of rural farming households in North