ABSTRACT

The broad objective of this study was to determine the implications of gender differentials in the adoption of risk management practices (RMP) on food security and poverty reduction in Abia state, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted in selecting 160 farmers (80 male and 80 female cassava farmers respectively). Primary data used for this study were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis involved the use of descriptive and inferential statistics like mean, tables and frequencies, z-test, Foster-Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) and Tobit model. The result shows that the male and female farmers were in their productive age with a mean age of 55 and 49 years old respectively. Majority of them were married accounting for about 40% and 65% of male farmers (MF) and female farmers (FF) respectively. The finding shows that 53% and 55% of male and female-farmers completed their secondary education, and with a mean of farming experience of 18 and 15 years for both farmers.  Finding also shows that MF were high adopters of (RMP) than the FF accounting for the 56% and 50% respectively. The poverty status result shows that MF had higher Mean per capita expenditure (MPCE) of N3, 726.275 while FF had N2, 981.316. The result also shows that more MF were non-poor (40%) compared to the FF (34%). Using the recommended daily energy level (L) of 1800 Kcal, the food insecurity line (Z) was estimated at 271.19, 222.17 and 246.68 for the MF, FF and pooled farmers respectively. The Tobit result shows that level of RMP adoption, quantity of cassava output, access to credit, farming experience, annual non-farm income, farm size, and cooperative membership were positively related to poverty at 5%, 5%, 5%, 10%, 5%, 5%, 10%, 5%, 1%, and 1% significant levels for MF and FF. respectively. On the contrary, age, education and household size were negatively signed and significant at 1%, 5%, 5%, 10%, and 10% for Male and Female cassava farmers in the study area.  More so, education, asset ownership, farm size, livestock ownership, improved seeds, non-farm diversification, credit access, extension contact, and farming experience  were positively related to food security at 10%, 5% 5%,5%, 10%,1%, 1%, 1%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 1%,5%,1%, 5%,  and 10% significant levels for MF. and FF. respectively. While age, level of RMP. adoption, and household size were negatively related to food security at different rates or levels of significant for both male and female farmers respectively. The major constraints militating against the adoption of RMP in the study area were insufficient capital, non-availability of planting materials, low knowledge of the RMP lack of extension workshops and high cost of labour. There is the need that credit facilities with very minimal stringent conditions should be provided, diversification of enterprise is of paramount important for managing agricultural risks, and extension training should be organised  to enable farmers get access to  information as regards to modern  technologies. Investment in irrigation projects by the government should be given adequate attention to enable farmers produce optimally.