Much attention has been given to the development potential of Africa in recent years.
One of the most frequently cited areas for investment is agriculture, especially given that more
than 70% of people across sub-Saharan Africa rely on agriculture for both food and income.
While both men and women across the developing world contribute to this sector, the notion that
women are less productive than men persists. Recent studies demonstrate that men do, in fact,
tend to produce more agricultural output than women. However, that is only the beginning of the
story. Using both OLS regression and fixed effects models, this paper finds that much of the
productivity gap between men and women in the agricultural sector of Malawi is explained by
differences in access to vital agricultural inputs, including high quality land and extension
services. Additionally, the presence of plots containing multiple crops negatively impacts
agricultural yields and tends to harm productivity more significantly in women than in men.
Using these findings as a basis for policy, direct government intervention that expands the scope
and availability of extension services, reforms land ownership and inheritance rights, and invests
in female empowerment programs should further reduce gender-based productivity differences.
If fully implemented, these policies should support the country’s rapid economic growth and
help lead to a Malawi that is food secure.