Assessment of gender roles in maize production:a case of Mdandu, Igominyi and Makambako Divisions in Njombe District, Tanzania
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Date
2011
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Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study was conducted at Ibumila, Nyumbanitu, and Magoda villages in Njombe
District. The main objective of the study was to assess gender roles in maize production.
The specific objectives were to identify existing gender division of labour, to identify
reproductive roles performed by fanners, to determine access and control of resources and
to examine socio-economic and cultural factors affecting gender relations in maize
production. A total of 120 respondents were involved in this study where by 60 were
females and 60 were males. Simple random sampling was used to get the intended
respondents. The research design used was cross-sectional survey in which data were
collected at single point in time through structured questionnaire. Data was coded, entered
and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer programme.
Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, mean, percentages were used to summarize the
information. Results show that, men and women mainly shared agricultural roles in maize
production, although women were the dominants in eight activities. Men were found to be
the major decision-makers of almost all household productive resources. Also it was
revealed that, high prices of farm inputs (27.0%) like fertilizers, improved seeds and
pesticides were the major factors affecting gender relations in maize production. However,
organization of regular trainings about gender awareness on gender issues, increase of
educational contacts with maize farmers; improved supply of subsidized package of inputs
should be addressed. Provision of formal marketing system to gride farmers from selling
maize to traders (walanguzi)', and provision of adequate physical infrastructure like roads
should also be addressed so as to have sufficient and sustainable maize production in a
study area.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Maize production, Makambako Divisions, Njombe district, Gender division labour, Gender relations, Maize traders (walanguzi)