Gender dynamics in smallholder vegetable farmers’ production in Ghana

Abstract

Gender disparities in agricultural productivity persist across Ghana’s Northern regions, where vegetable production is a major livelihood source. This study aims to examine gender disparities in resource access, socio-economic constraints, and economic outcomes in smallholder vegetable farming in Northern Ghana. The research applies a mixed-methods approach using data from 403 farmers, analyzed through descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and multivariate regression models. From our findings, male farmers recorded significantly higher total revenues and benefit–cost ratios, while female farmers reported lower profits despite similar farm sizes. Women more frequently engaged in mixed cropping systems and manual irrigation, which are associated with higher labor demands but lower returns. Regression models on input access identified gender, region, and age as significant predictors. Female farmers in the Upper West Region showed the lowest levels of input availability, and accessibility declined with age for women. A separate regression on socio-economic found that women were more likely to report challenges related to storage, postharvest losses, and market access, whereas men cited mechanization as a primary concern. The study, therefore calls for evidence-based, gender-responsive interventions that enhance women’s access to resources, reduce labor intensity, and strengthen market participation in Northern Ghana.