Gender disparities in smallhoder farmers’ access to agricultural productive resources in the cassava value chain in Rongo Sub County, Migori County, Kenya

Abstract

Agriculture is a crucial source of rural livelihoods in Kenya, and contributes significantly to the country’s economy. Smallholder women are the main producers especially within households in rural areas. However, women as compared to men are challenged in accessing agricultural productive resources. To explore disparities in access to agricultural productive resources, this study was undertaken in Migori County’s Rongo Sub County. A cross-sectional research design was used. 1,080 cassava farmers were targeted with an accessible population of 92 smallholder cassava farmers. Central, East, North and South Kamagambo Wards were purposively selected since cassava is grown in them. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were employed to choose study respondents. Data was collected over a two-week period in the month of July 2019 from 46 men and 46 women smallholder cassava farmers using researcher-administered questionnaire. The tool was developed in line with the study objectives, and a rational analysis of the tool by experts who reviewed its readability and clarity. The pilot test was undertaken with 30 respondents in Awendo Sub-county’s North Sakwa Ward. Reliability of the tools was determined at 0.805 Cronbach’s alpha. Qualitative data analysis was done by using frequencies and Chi square tests with the of SPSS version 20 software. Demographic data was summarised in frequencies. Data on gender involvement in cassava value chain, access to land, market information, extension services and credit were subjected to Chi-square test at α level of 0.05. The results showed that women dominate cassava production, processing, marketing and consumption. Men had more access to land, market information, agricultural extension services and credit than women. More women than men faced poor price and post-harvest losses, while more men than women faced poor roads and distance to market. Both men and women had similar opportunities in regard to receiving extension services from government extension agents. However, more men than women received extension services from research agencies, institutions of learning, Non-governmental Organisations and Cooperatives. More men than women had bank accounts. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that for women to make meaningful contributions in cassava value chain it is imperative that more agricultural productive resources be provided to women smallholder farmers and their accessibility increased. For women to equally benefit in cassava value chain upgrading interventions there is an urgent need for the disparities identified to be addressed and for further studies to be undertaken.