Gender differentiation on the determinants and intensity of adoption of Purdue improved cowpea storage (PICS) bags in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Postharvest and storage of agricultural produce such as cowpea remains a significant challenge in
sub-Sahara Africa. This study assessed gender differentiation on the determinants and intensity of
adoption of Purdue-improved cowpea storage (PICS) bags in northern Nigeria. Primary data was
collected via a well-questionnaire from Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, and the Niger
States. Each State was purposively selected based on the concentration and availability of female
PICS bag users. From the sampling frame 2989, 20% of male and female small-scale cowpea
farmers were randomly selected, totalling 598 cowpea farmers. Descriptive and double-hurdle
regression models were used. The result of the socioeconomic analysis indicated that farmers’
mean age was 42 years, with an average of 8 persons per household and a dependency ratio of
1.19. Years of schooling were 10 with a farming experience of 25 years and 2.17 ha as the average
farm size. Results of the Logit model in males were significant for (extension contact, PICS information from other farmers and radio sources, and cowpea income, bags non-available) and for
females (age, awareness, extension contact, PICS information from other farmers and radio
source, bags non-available). The truncated regression model was significant in males (cowpea
income) and females (education, output, and bags non-available). Adopting PICS bag technology
by cowpea farming households enhanced female farmers’ adoption. Therefore, policymakers
should implement methods to motivate female farmers to adopt this technology further.