The contribution of improved chicken strains in promoting women empowerment in Bariadi and Muheza districts, Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AJOL
Abstract
Increasing number of development projects espouse objectives of women’s empowerment.
However, mechanism by which agricultural development projects can enhance women empowerment
is scantly documented. Therefore, this paper aimed at assessing the role of improved chicken
strains in promoting women empowerment. The study which this paper is based on, involved 240
women (120 beneficiaries of African Chicken Genetic Gain [ACGG] and 120 non-beneficiaries)
from Bariadi and Muheza districts. Cross-sectional research and mixed methods of data collection
were used. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire, Key
Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Extent of women empowerment
among beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of ACGG project was measured using a Composite
Empowerment Index (CEI). Content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Quantitative
data were analysed by using descriptive statistics. Results showed that ACGG project provided
women’s access to initial stock of improved chicks and vaccines as well as extension and training
services. Women who benefited from ACGG were more empowered (CEI = 0.714) as compared to
non-beneficiaries (CEI = 0.529). Based on the findings, women empowerment has been realised
through the intervention of the improved chicken which were sponsored by the ACGG project.
However, the ACGG project focused more on creating an enabling environment for women’s access
to productive resources than on addressing social settings that influence women’s status. It was
thus recommended to the ACGG project, Local Government Authorities and development partners
to scale up improved chicken interventions to other areas and promote initiatives to challenge
social institutions that have an impact on women’s life.
Description
Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences (2021) Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 94-100
Keywords
Women empowerment, Improved chicken strain, African Chicken, Composite Empowerment Index (CEI), Genetic Gain (ACGG) project