Gender Relations In Beans Crop Production And Marketing Among Small Holder Farmers In Ndhiwa, Homabay County

Abstract

Beans are major sources of food and nutrition security and income among small-scale farmers in Kenya. Stallholder beans production in Kenya is dominated by women who are however underprivileged by disparities in form of control over and access to production resources as contrasted to their male counterparts. The study examined gender relations in beans crop production and marketing among smallholder farmers in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County. The study’s overall objective was to identify and examine gender relations that influence beans production and marketing among the small-scale farmers in Ndhiwa area. The study adopted descriptive study design and employed mixed method approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data sources in the field research with the smallholder beans farmer identified as the unit of analysis. Seventy five (75) respondents out of 217 smallholder beans farmers were sampled by use of systematic random sampling technique and 8 key informants were also purposively identified to participate in the study. Structured questionnaires and focused discussion groups were utilized to collect the data. The data was then analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS v20). The study findings highlighted disparities between male and female farmer with regard to decision making power, access and control of productive resources and utilization of income. It established that men had better access and control over productive resources than women, influenced decisions on household production activities, marketing of beans and utilization of the benefits from beans produce. While Women provided labor in production and marketing process yet were underprivileged in terms of access, control of land and credit and had low decision making power and influence on production arrangements and utilization of the benefits accrued from the produce. The study also revealed that household decisions on the control over benefits from beans produce were made based on established gender roles that conform to their traditional social norms. Women were made decision on quantities that was to be saved for food after harvest, while, men who are socially responsible for providing cash, influenced the use of cash from beans as well. The study recommended gender mainstreaming to be integrated in all beans production activities with a view to promoting bean production in Ndhiwa Sub County.