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Abstract
This paper reviews the econometric evidence on gender differences in agricultural
productivity. It provides a methodological overview and a critique of (1) production
function-based estimates of technical and labor productivity differences by gender, (2)
individual (gender-disaggregated) labor supply and earnings functions and (3) studies of
the determinants of technological adoption.
The review finds that (1) in general, male and female farmers are equally efficient
as farm managers. Women farmers' lower yields are attributable to lower levels of inputs
and human capital than men. However, the use of coefficients estimated from these
studies for simulation exercises may not be valid if endogenous input choice is not
considered; (2) returns to schooling for both men and women are significant in dynamic
agricultural settings where modern technologies have been introduced. Returns to an
additional year of women's education range from 2 to 15 percent, which compares
favorably with those of men; and (3) farmers with more education are more likely to
adopt new technologies. Providing universal primary education also stimulates early
adoption by female farmers, whom other women are more likely to imitate. Farmers with
more land and farm tools are also more likely to adopt new technologies. To the extent
that women farmers may have less education, less access to land, and own fewer tools,
they may be less likely to adopt new technologies.