Gender Differentials in the Performance of Small Scale Agro-based Entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The study investigated gender differentials in the performance of small scale agro-based entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Multistage random sampling technique was employed in selecting 120 agro-based entrepreneurs (60 males and 60 females) that constituted the respondents for the study. With the use of structured questionnaire, primary data were collected from the selected 120 agro-based entrepreneurs. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and ordinary least square (OLS) multiple regression analysis. The result of gender desegregated analysis showed that male agro-based entrepreneurs have better access to credit facilities than their female counterparts. Gender of agro-based entrepreneurs significantly influenced performance in favour of male. Other variables that significantly influenced the performance of agro-based entrepreneurs include: membership of cooperative, loan received, interest rate and experience at 0.01 and 0.05 respectively. Access to credit has very strong and direct relationship with performance with a Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient of 0.82 for male and 0.86 for female agro-based entrepreneurs. Which indicate that female agro-based entrepreneurs are more efficient in transforming credit accessed to higher performance. Based on the findings, the study therefore recommended among others that female agro-based entrepreneurs should be more economically empowered by relevant government agencies and NGOs for enhanced performance in agricultural production.