Gender roles in small holder dairy farming: pertinent issues on access and control over dairy farming resources in Arumeru district, Tanzania

Type Journal Article - Livestock Research for Rural Development
Title Gender roles in small holder dairy farming: pertinent issues on access and control over dairy farming resources in Arumeru district, Tanzania
Author(s)
Volume 25
Issue 5
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
URL http://lrrd.cipav.org.co/lrrd25/5/kima25082.htm
Abstract
This paper assesses and examines gender roles, access and control over dairy farming resources, decision making and opportunities in dairy farming enterprise between women in dairy farming groups and those not. Cross sectional research design was adopted using structured questionnaires to collect information from 150 households from six villages namely Bangata, Sasi, Inshupu, Enaboishu, Sokoni II and Nkoaranga. Descriptive analysis and Chi-square were used to test the statistical significance of categorical and continuous data respectively.

The results revealed that women contribute more labour force in dairy management than men, children and hired labour. Women who were not in groups did not have a full access and control over dairy farming enterprise, this was relatively contrary to women who belonged to groups, women in groups have access and control over resources on dairy cattle and income generated through it. Furthermore, it was also observed that those women in groups were in a better position to overcome traditional practice such as their participation in decision making issues over dairy farming. In order to improve dairy farming production local government and non-governmental organization should advocate for a change in gender roles in dairy management so as to minimize the work load burden to women which indirectly affects the level of production. Also formation of groups should be encouraged in rural communities so as to motivate women’s participation in dairy farming for sustainable livestock agriculture.

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