Gender differences in farmers’ livelihood capital in Dazu District, China

Livelihood capital is the basis for farmers to maintain livelihood sustainability and to make farming decisions. A major assertion that has been demonstrated with limited empirical evidence in the capital literature is the gender difference dichotomy. Using rural Dazu District as a case study, this paper constructs the evaluation index system of livelihood capital and carries on the comprehensive evaluation from a gender perspective. A stratified random sampling technique and household questionnaire survey were used to collect data from Dazu District, China. An asset index was used to compute the capital levels, while the independent sample t test and the ordinary least square (OLS) model were employed to compare the differences between gender in livelihood capital. The results show that there were significant gender differences in farmers’ livelihood capital. Specifically, male farmers have better livelihood capital than female farmers. Furthermore, the results reveal that the livelihood capital of male and female farmers is influenced by different sets of factors. Age, happiness, planting structure, agricultural policy support and cooperatives are main factors affecting livelihood capital of female farmers, while main influencing factors of male farmers are education, years of farming, health, risk preference, planting structure and cooperatives. These results imply that specific gender intervention programs are necessary be implemented in order to maintain farmers’ livelihood sustainability and to overcome gender gaps in agriculture.