Gender Imbalance in Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Activities: A Case Study of Morogoro Rural District, Tanzania

Tanzania Journal of Institutes of Development Studies, 2003, 1: 25-34This article is based on findings from a study conducted in Mkindo village Morogoro district between November 2001 and March 2002. The aim of the study was to assess gender involvement in agricultural activities and its impact on household food security. The specific objectives were to determine how both genders are involved in agricultural and non-agricultural activities and to determine the relative share of each gender in' the ownership of the means of production. The study used an explanatory cross sectional design in which data was collected once through a structured questionnaire with some open and closed ended questions. A total of 75 respondents were involved in this study whereby 43 were female and 32 were male. Purposive and simple random sampling were used to get the intended respondents. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics namely frequencies. means, percentages and range were used to summarize the information. A number of issues affecting household income generation were identified. There was unequal ownership of the means of production. the share of women being marginal. Women, however, carried a heavier load of domestic work while men held in their hands. However. men mostly controlled the agricultural produce. The participation of men in non-agricultural income generating activities was also insignificant. In order to enhance effective participation of both genders in agricultural production which eventually would lead to eventually more food secure households. gender imbalance in the above mentioned aspects should be sought