Gender differences in agricultural productivity: a survey of empirical evidence

This paper reviews the econometric evidence on gender differences in agricultural productivity. It provides a methodological overview and a critique of (1) production function-based estimates of technical and labor productivity differences by gender, (2) individual (gender-disaggregated) labor suppl...

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Autor principal: Quisumbing, Agnes R.
Formato: Artículo preliminar
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Food Policy Research Institute 1995
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/157059
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author Quisumbing, Agnes R.
author_browse Quisumbing, Agnes R.
author_facet Quisumbing, Agnes R.
author_sort Quisumbing, Agnes R.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This paper reviews the econometric evidence on gender differences in agricultural productivity. It provides a methodological overview and a critique of (1) production function-based estimates of technical and labor productivity differences by gender, (2) individual (gender-disaggregated) labor supply and earnings functions and (3) studies of the determinants of technological adoption. The review finds that (1) in general, male and female farmers are equally efficient as farm managers. Women farmers' lower yields are attributable to lower levels of inputs and human capital than men. However, the use of coefficients estimated from these studies for simulation exercises may not be valid if endogenous input choice is not considered; (2) returns to schooling for both men and women are significant in dynamic agricultural settings where modern technologies have been introduced. Returns to an additional year of women's education range from 2 to 15 percent, which compares favorably with those of men; and (3) farmers with more education are more likely to adopt new technologies. Providing universal primary education also stimulates early adoption by female farmers, whom other women are more likely to imitate. Farmers with more land and farm tools are also more likely to adopt new technologies. To the extent that women farmers may have less education, less access to land, and own fewer tools, they may be less likely to adopt new technologies.
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spelling CGSpace1570592025-11-06T06:45:08Z Gender differences in agricultural productivity: a survey of empirical evidence Quisumbing, Agnes R. education gender relations educational reforms technological changes agricultural development land use gender property rights work agricultural technology agricultural growth time use patterns This paper reviews the econometric evidence on gender differences in agricultural productivity. It provides a methodological overview and a critique of (1) production function-based estimates of technical and labor productivity differences by gender, (2) individual (gender-disaggregated) labor supply and earnings functions and (3) studies of the determinants of technological adoption. The review finds that (1) in general, male and female farmers are equally efficient as farm managers. Women farmers' lower yields are attributable to lower levels of inputs and human capital than men. However, the use of coefficients estimated from these studies for simulation exercises may not be valid if endogenous input choice is not considered; (2) returns to schooling for both men and women are significant in dynamic agricultural settings where modern technologies have been introduced. Returns to an additional year of women's education range from 2 to 15 percent, which compares favorably with those of men; and (3) farmers with more education are more likely to adopt new technologies. Providing universal primary education also stimulates early adoption by female farmers, whom other women are more likely to imitate. Farmers with more land and farm tools are also more likely to adopt new technologies. To the extent that women farmers may have less education, less access to land, and own fewer tools, they may be less likely to adopt new technologies. 1995 2024-10-24T12:47:03Z 2024-10-24T12:47:03Z Working Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/157059 en Open Access application/pdf International Food Policy Research Institute Quisumbing, Agnes R. 1995. Gender differences in agricultural productivity: a survey of empirical evidence. FCND Discussion Paper 5. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/157059
spellingShingle education
gender relations
educational reforms
technological changes
agricultural development
land use
gender
property rights
work
agricultural technology
agricultural growth
time use patterns
Quisumbing, Agnes R.
Gender differences in agricultural productivity: a survey of empirical evidence
title Gender differences in agricultural productivity: a survey of empirical evidence
title_full Gender differences in agricultural productivity: a survey of empirical evidence
title_fullStr Gender differences in agricultural productivity: a survey of empirical evidence
title_full_unstemmed Gender differences in agricultural productivity: a survey of empirical evidence
title_short Gender differences in agricultural productivity: a survey of empirical evidence
title_sort gender differences in agricultural productivity a survey of empirical evidence
topic education
gender relations
educational reforms
technological changes
agricultural development
land use
gender
property rights
work
agricultural technology
agricultural growth
time use patterns
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/157059
work_keys_str_mv AT quisumbingagnesr genderdifferencesinagriculturalproductivityasurveyofempiricalevidence