Abstract:
Most subsistence crops that fall in low-value chains, such as cassava, are controlled
mainly by women; hence, intra-household gender roles and power dynamics are
complex and depend on socio-economic and cultural contexts. Cassava food value
chains contribute to the immediate food and income household needs of
marginalized and vulnerable rural communities where agriculture is a significant
livelihood. However, few studies have explicitly documented how perceived low-value agricultural commodity value chains transform intra-household social relations
and resource ownership, benefit sharing, and how, in turn, these value chains are
affected by these micro-level processes. The primary objective in designing this
framework was to highlight the importance of gendered interactions at the microscale
through an analysis of the changing roles, responsibilities, and bargaining power of
women and men within the cassava value chains at the household level. A cross-sectional survey involving focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and an
ethnographic approach was undertaken using repeated household visits during data
collection. Qualitative data analysis used content analysis to identify key themes
from focus group discussions about intra-household gender power dynamics. The
framework was derived from analyzing the empirical findings from Tanzania’s
smallholder farming sector underpinned by the Colfer and Minarchek framework.
The findings refute the assumption of unitary household preferences along the
gender axis, given the intricate relationships in the multi-sectoral smallholder farming
space. By emphasizing intra-household gender power dynamics, the framework
helps to identify gender inequalities emanating from skewed resource ownership,
limited women participation, unequal benefit sharing, and power relations within the
cassava food value chain. The study recommends policy shifts for women to own
productive resources such as land, reduced export taxes, access to finance, and
rewarding markets for cassava value chain actors. This study resonates with global
and regional policy initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
and the Agenda 2063: Africa We Want in enhancing gender equality, reducing
poverty, and ensuring food and nutrition security. The framework will facilitate the
development of gender-sensitive intervention programs for upgrading and
strengthening women's participation in cassava food value chains.
