Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Gender disparities in access to inputs, markets, financial inclusion, and participation in strategic value
chains are major developmental challenges in emerging economies. Participation in the edible insect value chain
has become an essential source of income, food, and nutrition in some African countries. This paper uses a bivariate probit model to examine the gender differentials for primary mopane worm harvesters’ participation in primary
processing and market participation during COVID19 in Southeastern Zimbabwe. Using a structured questionnaire,
the data were gathered from 393 primary harvesters in five purposively selected wards in the Gwanda District of Zimbabwe. This study examines the gender differentials for primary mopane worm harvesters’ participation in primary
processing and market participation during COVID19 in Southeastern Zimbabwe.
RESULTS: Results show that women are likelier to participate in primary value addition to preparing for the lean season
opportunities. There are gender differentials in the participation in markets during COVID19. Results show a significant negative relationship between participants’ ages and female engagement in mopane processing and a positive
correlation with female involvement in lean COVID19 season marketing. Male harvesters’ participation in the lean
market during the COVID19 pandemic was significantly correlated positively with age and education level,
while the choice to participate in the lean market was negatively correlated with the dependency ratio.
CONTRIBUTIONS: Collaborative, community centric, and gender accommodative development of the mopane worm
value chain is important. Focal issues are on supporting primary value addition for lean season market participation
and during market shocks such as COVID19. This can be a leap towards gender equality and improving livelihoods
of women and men in mopane harvesting areas. The study recommends marketing and district specific policies
explicitly addressing mopane worm harvesting and marketing affects market participation and primary value addition decisions.
