Abstract:
This study was carried out to estimate poverty gap between
female and male headed farm families in Ukwani Local Government Area (LGA) of
Delta State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 7
out of the 10 communities that make up the LGA. From each of these selected
communities 10 respondents were selected from a list of farm families drawn
with assistance of extension officers covering the area. This gave a total sample
size of 70 respondents. The study was conducted in 2008. Various methods were
employed in analyzing the data, including descriptive statistical tools and
inferential statistics such as t-test and ordinary least square regression analysis.
Results of the study indicate that the farmers were characteristically smallholders
with about 50% of males and 83% of female household heads having not >1.50
ha of farm. On the poverty levels of the households, it was found that the core
poverty and moderate poverty lines for male, female and all households were