Gender-Related Social Capital Utilization and Resource Accessibility in South-Western Nigeria: a Focus on Poultry Sector

Abstract

Social capital is vital in agricultural resource management. This study aims at identifying types of social capital existent in the study area, and also investigates into the effects of social capital on acquisition of farm resources among poultry farmers with respect to genders. Three-stage sampling method was used in selecting sampling units, which range from selection of Lagos and Ogun States to selection of two Local Government Areas per state from where 116 poultry farmers were randomly selected. Descriptive statistics, Cobb Douglas production function, Ordinary Least Square (OLS) and probit regression analyses were used for data analysis. The variables of social capital considered were social capital from friends, relatives, cooperative societies and feed millers. The male farmers had more social capital from friends and feed millers, while the female farmers had more social capital from relatives. The two gender groups had about same level of cooperative society social capital. The resources considered for the study include poultry stock, labour, housing system and feed. Male farmers utilized feed millers and friends as social capital than the female poultry farmers. The study showed age of household head, gender, formal education, experience and feed millers social capital, friends social capital significantly influenced acquisition of poultry farm inputs. Female farmers had less utilization of social capital which resulted in less and insignificant consequential acquisition of resources. The female gender needs being more equipped with social capitals and their relevant networks for adequate and sustainable women empowerment, and inequality reduction betw1een genders.