GENDER ANALYSIS OF MULTIPLE JOBS HOLDING AMONG FARM FAMILIES IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

The issue of multiple jobs holding has been a major concern in recent times. Both male and female gender engaged in one or more jobs apart from their primary occupation. Of major concern is the rate at which Multiple Jobs holding increased among farm families and the attendant food shortage and insecurity witnessed in South Western Nigeria. The purpose of this study is to investigate multiple job holdings among farm family with the mind of examining the distribution among male and female gender and its effect on their farm, farm family and rural development in South Western Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used in selecting 300 respondents from 30 communities in the study area. The results indicate that earning more income, better living standard, farm income diversification, meeting children’s needs, security of income, and risk management are the major reasons why people work off the farm The study provide evidence of multiple jobs holding as a flexible mechanism for coping with changes in the economic environment facing the farming household. Multiple jobs holding are found not to have any negative health hazards on the farmers. However, it affects the home as well as the farm as it leads to reduced dedication to farm work and thereby reducing farm productivity. It affects social life, ability to look after children’s welfare, causes divided loyalty and conflicting obligations at home as well as on the farm. There is a negative significant relationship between age, income, farm size and MJH. There is a positive significant relationship between educational status, family size, number of dependent relatives and MJH. There is no significant relationship between Gender and MJH.