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Abstract
Most developing countries strive to improve agricultural productivity by relaxing credit
constraints, supplying better inputs, and improving marketing and distribution. However
the efficacy of these reforms needs to be examined in the context of the behavioral
responses of farming households. This study examines gender biases within households
that affect short-term decisions with immediate and long-term implications. This study
utilizes data from ICRISAT's village level studies in India (1975-85) to highlight the
effects of child gender on the use of agricultural inputs. The main finding is that
households with boys tend to use purchased inputs such as fertilizers and insecticides
more intensively compared with households with girls. In general, household with boys
also tend to have larger land holdings, and use animal and human labor to a greater
extent than household with girls.