Influence of productive resources on bean production in male- and female-headed households in selected bean corridors of Kenya (original) (raw)
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Survey data on which this paper is based were collected in a rural district in Kenya between December 2000 and January 2001. The main objective was to identify the factors that determine female participation in household decision-making. Our results suggest that bargaining models and resource theory cannot be applied in a society where customarily determined sex and social stratification systems place males higher than females and determines that only men make major decisions. Our results support the hypothesis that cultural theory is more significant than bargaining models or resource theories in determining women's participation in decision-making in Kenya.
Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. To achieve this, there is a growing recognition of the need to tap the potential of small scale farmers, a vast number of whom are women, mostly found in the rural areas. One glaring weakness in Kenyan agricultural policy is the omission of the pivotal role women play in the production of the nation`s food supply. While Kenyan women only own one percent of the land they produce the vast majority of the food for their entire families nationwide, they receive less than seven percent of the farm extension services, less than ten percent of the credit given to small-scale farmers, and are generally undernourished, overworked, illiterate, and genuinely lack a voice in Kenyan society. Several food security projects have been implemented in Kinango sub county of Kwale County over the years, but these have registered very little success as the area continues to suffer from perennial food shortages. One of these projects is the WFP's protracted relief and recovery programme (PRRO). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of gender disparity on enhancement of household food security in Kinango sub county, Kwale County. Specifically, the study endeavoured to investigate whether access to human capital, asset ownership and household decision making processes affect the enhancement of food security in the sub county. The methodology of the study was descriptive design which was used with cross-sectional survey methods. The total target population was 10,000 households from where a sample of 385 was obtained. 5 respondents were purposely selected from food security implementing agencies, making a total sample size of 390. Random sampling procedure was used to select the households within the villages which were a representative sample for generalization. A questionnaire for household heads was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics such as computing frequencies and ranking to check on the trends in preferences. Qualitative data was analyzed using SPSS and presented in bar-graphs, tables and charts. The study took approximately three months.
Hidden Overburden of Female-Headed Households in Guar Bean Production: Zimbabwean Experience
The study was done on a guar bean-growing project in Makachi area, Zimbabwe. The study objectives were to determine ownership of resources, time spent on production and access to information by male-headed and female-headed households. Data collection and analysis were based on the FAO Gender Analysis Framework. Results showed that male-headed households had more ownership of resources and spent less time on production; access to information was equal; female-headed households allocated a greater proportion of their land to guar bean production and matched their male counterparts in the mean yield. While inter-household exchanges helped female-headed households access draft power and farming equipment, obligations associated with these exchanges were found to be a source of overburden to female-headed households.
Journal of Gender, Agriculture and Food Security
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This study examines household decision-making on various agricultural activities—including tree planting and management—among farming families in Malawi. A mixed-method approach consisting of a household survey (containing 135 married respondents and 16 focus group discussions) was used to analyze the gender dimensions of decision-making and the role of kinship structure. The study found that most decisions in relation to agricultural activities are made either by the husband or by the husband and wife together. However, decisions regarding tree planting and tree management are more often made by the household head alone, and are considered mainly the domain of men. These results were reinforced by the focus group discussions, which also revealed that women do play a role in the implementation of these activities. In patrilineal households decisions were made more often by the husband alone compared to matrilineal families where there was more joint decision-making by husbands and w...
Jordan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2011
Studies on agricultural production and gender are full of contradictions as to whether female farmers are less productive than male farmers even under similar production systems and environments. The objective of this paper was to assess and compare the agricultural production differences of the male and female headed households in marginal areas bordering Lake Victoria region. A sample of 125 farmers surveyed during feasibility study of smallholder irrigation scheme in Rachuonyo and Homa Bay district was used for the study. The study compared demographic, socio-economic and agricultural production characteristics of male- and female- headed households using t-ratios. The study revealed that female heads of households were significantly less educated, owned and cultivated smaller land parcels, used fewer family labour in the farm but more external labour as compared to male headed households which formed 54% of the sample. Female-headed households were less efficient in agricultural...
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Gender inequality in access and control of all resources has been a major concern for many governments and other stakeholders. Many stakeholders have endeavored to design and implement various strategies and mechanisms aimed at advancing gender balance in all spheres of life. However, this objective has not been achieved. This prompted the need for this study that sought to investigate the status of access and control of land and dairy products by men and women and their influence on access and control of household welfare. The study was done in Murang’ a CountyKenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: to identify the dairy products existing in male and female-headed households in Murang’ a county, Kenya; to establish the status of access to land and dairy products by men and women and to establish the status of control of land and dairy products by men and women. The study was guided by the Women Empowerment Framework (WEF) espoused by Sarah Longwe (1991). The study ...
The factors that hinder farm intensification process among smallholders in Kenya are many and varied. These factors are not gender neutral; they affect the ability of both men and women to achieve greater productivity in agriculture. Lack of farm intensification contributes to stagnation of agriculture, increases poverty and limits rural development. The problems that face women farmers are more distinct due to socio-cultural constraints that affect their access to and control over essential assets necessary for improving their livelihoods and those of their households. Lack of access to and ownership of productive assets is an effect as well as a cause of poverty. The objective of the study was to assess gender specific constraints that affect the impact of farm technologies on household food security among smallholders in Western Province of Kenya. A multi-stage stratified random sampling technique was used to select 499 households. Using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to household heads together with six focus group discussions, the study examined how gender affects the intensity of use of farm technologies such as hybrid seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, animal draught power and storage technologies and impact on household food security. In addition, the study analyzed the effect of the level of education of household head and contact with extension service on maize yield. The results show that lack of access to land, extension services, credit, income and low education level are the most important constraints facing women farmers. While women accessed credit from informal sources such as rotating credit and savings, men accessed credit from banks and cooperatives. Women who accessed credit spent more on farm inputs and consequently they realized higher maize output. The results further showed that access to extension services was a problem to both genders; 21 % of women and 20 % of men had access to extension services - demonstrating the inability of the current extension system to disseminate existing and new technologies to smallholders. Access to formal school-based education and extension service had a large and significant effect on maize yield. Women were further constrained by limited time to perform their roles as well as limited access to technologies. Wives (59%) were more affected by labour changes associated with technology use than husbands (21%). The findings provide useful information to policy makers on how to address the complex issues related to gender, agricultural development and rural poverty. Key words: Gender, technology, food security, Kenya
Food insecurity which is the cause of child malnutrition is still prevalent in rural communities of Abia State. one of the causes of food insecurity as it has been reported by other is gender inequality. Women, especially in Nigeria have been reported to have high work head in food production compared to men and in decision making power they have often subordinate to men. The aim of this study was to determine gender division of labour in agriculture and decision making power and their impacts on household food security. The study area was Abia State, which is made up of three agricultural zones namely Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia with 17 Local Government Areas. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in the selection of sample size of 150 respondents of household heads. Data were collected through Focus Group Discussion and use of structured questionnaires. The father and mother were interviewed separately. Data collected were analyzed with the use of simple descriptive statistics like frequency and means. Results of the study indicated both men and women participated in agricultural activities but women more days in the field than men. Women had a median of 53 days (0 – 196), while men had a median of 39 (0 – 164) days. Food insecurity prevalence was high. The result indicated that about 53% of the households were food sufficient while 47% were food insufficient in the last 12 months. In decision making, most decisions were made by father and mother together or father alone. Women make seldom decision alone knowing who does work is essential in policy planning. Women were observed to be responsible for a particular aspect of producing food for household consumptive than men. Therefore food policy needs to be specifically targeted to them and empower them.
Revista Espinhaço, 2021
To understand intra-household decision making, the study considers participation in decision making on rice farming by an individual. It employed data obtained from a face-face questionnaire interview from farming households. e data were collected between July and September, 2019 cropping season. The questionnaire contained data on socio-economic/ demographic and decision making on rice production; sales and finance within the households. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in the selection of respondents from the study area. e data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, T-test and Tobit regression model. Empirical results revealed that female farmers are disadvantaged in the access to economic resources. ere is a statistically significant difference in decision making among female and male farmers. It was found out that male farmers solely make most decisions on rice production and revenue while the female farmers tend to have more control on marketing of produce. Age of the farmer, non-farm activity participation, land ownership and access to credit significantly increased female farmers’ decision making power. Access to economic resources especially credit facilities, land and information were the major constraints female farmers face in developing their capabilities as farmers. The study suggests that market intervention will advance women’s position and performance in agricultural sector. Closing the gender gap in decision making will enhance the creation of conducive economic environment in the Nigerian rice sector.