UTILIZATION OF INDIGENOUS PRACTICES AMONG HORTICULTURAL FARMERS IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA: A GENDER APPROACH

Abstract

This study provides a gendered assessment of the utilization of indigenous practices in enhancing the productivity of smallholder horticultural farmers in Osun State, Nigeria. Using a quantitative methodology, data were collected from 162 horticultural farmers, with Chi-square tests and Probit regression employed for inferential analysis. Results revealed significant gender disparities in crop specialization: men dominated fruit production, while women focused on leafy and fruit vegetables. Chi-square analysis indicated statistically significant gender differences in the application of indigenous practices in nursery management, fertilization, pest and disease control, harvesting, processing, and storage. While informal sources like peers and family were most common, Radio/TV emerged as the only significant formal source for learning these practices, though twice as many men as women utilized it. The Probit regression model indicated that women’s competence in indigenous practices increased their productivity by 25.5 percentage points. The study concludes that indigenous knowledge systems, when mastered, empower women to overcome resource constraints and improve yields, despite persisting disparities in access to learning tools. Consequently, the study recommends that interventions and policies aimed at bridging the gender-gap in horticulture productivity should strengthen gender-responsive extension systems to broaden women’s access to formal learning networks and training opportunities.