Gender Differences in Access to Agricultural Extension Services among Smallholder Farmers in Ibadan, Oyo State

Abstract— This study examined gender differences in access to agricultural extension services among smallholder farmers in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 300 respondents—170 males and 130 females. The socio-economic analysis revealed that male farmers possessed greater resource endowment and institutional linkages than females. The mean age of male farmers was 45.8 years compared to 43.2 years for females, with average farming experience of 14.6 and 11.8 years, respectively. Male farmers cultivated larger farms (2.7 ha) and showed higher educational attainment (60%) and cooperative membership (60%) than females (1.9 ha; 50.7% and 44.6%). Gender disparities in extension access were evident, as males recorded higher mean scores for visitation and training (MS = 4.06–4.17) compared to females (MS = 2.24 for both). Regression results (R² = 0.612; Adjusted R² = 0.586; F = 23.47, p < 0.001) showed education, farm size, cooperative membership, and credit access as significant determinants, while household size was not significant. Male farmers achieved higher productivity (MS = 4.21) and income (MS = 4.27) than females (MS = 3.61; 3.31). Exploratory factor analysis identified five constraint dimensions explaining 68.34% of variance—socio-cultural barriers (19.27%), institutional capacity (16.21%), economic constraints (12.40%), information accessibility (10.56%), and time-distance constraints (9.90%). High KMO (0.847) and Bartlett's χ² (3,528.94, p < 0.001) confirmed model adequacy. The findings underscore persistent gender inequities rooted in socio-cultural, institutional, and economic barriers limiting women's participation in extension programs.