Differences in Agricultural Productivity Among Women and Men on Small-Scale Farms in Senegal: Contributions of Agricultural Innovations

Abstract

This study aims to measure the contribution of technological innovations in gender gaps in agricultural productivity in Senegal. This study uses data from the 2018 Annual Agricultural Survey (AAS) conducted under the FAO Integrated Agricultural Survey Program (AGRISurvey). Using the Kitagawa-Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition method, results indicated a 69.6% productivity gap between plots managed by men and those managed by women, with plots managed by women on average more productive than those managed by men. There are two main reasons for this unexpected result. First, women on average cultivate much smaller plots of land, with higher production per hectare cultivated. Second, rainfed rice, which is considered a women’s crop, is a highly productive crop that is often grown on very small plots, especially in southern Senegal and has much higher productivity among women than men. 85.5% of the overall productivity gap observed is explained by endowment effects: characteristics of the plot managers and the plots themselves, and unequal access to resources across women and men. The adoption of certified seeds and the use of chemical fertilizers (NPK, urea, and phosphate) were agricultural innovations associated with the gender productivity gap. The use of certified seeds, fertilizers, and motorized equipment during soil preparation and harvesting are all positively associated with increased agricultural productivity among women and men. Findings suggest increasing women’s access to land and technological innovations could further unleash the productivity potential of Senegalese agriculture.