Analyzing Gender Dimensions of Horticultural Technology Adoption in South South Nigeria: A Study of Vegetable Farmers in Rivers and Bayelsa States

Gender inequalities in access to productive resources, extension services, and technology information represent structural barriers to horticultural productivity improvements among female farmers in South South Nigeria. While women constitute the majority of vegetable producers in Rivers and Bayelsa states, their adoption of improved horticultural technologies consistently lags behind male counterparts. This study analyzes the gender dimensions of horticultural technology adoption by examining differential access to extension, inputs, credit, and decision-making authority between male and female vegetable farmers in Rivers and Bayelsa states. A sample of 280 vegetable farmers, stratified by gender, was surveyed using structured questionnaires. Technology adoption was measured using an adoption index covering improved varieties, irrigation, organic soil amendments, and improved post-harvest handling. Gender-disaggregated logit regression models were applied to identify factors explaining adoption differentials. Results indicate that female farmers exhibit significantly lower adoption index scores, primarily attributable to restricted land tenure rights, lower extension contact frequency, and limited credit access. The study identifies social norms governing women's agricultural autonomy as the most deeply embedded constraint. Recommendations include gender-targeted extension programs, women's land rights advocacy, and the integration of gender equity metrics into state horticultural development programs in Rivers and Bayelsa states. Keywords: gender, technology adoption, vegetable farmers, South South Nigeria, extension services