Gender analysis in the sunflower value chain: a case of Mvomero district, Tanzania

MSc ThesisGender inequalities are said to be a stumbling block to development efforts. Conversely inequalities are reported in many agricultural value chains. Therefore, understanding of gender participation differences within Sunflower Value Chain (SVC) is important in promoting sustainable and equitable opportunities in the agricultural value chain. This study was set to map the sunflower value chain and analyse the levels and determinants of gender participation along the chain. A cross-sectional research design was adopted and the combination of systematic and random sampling techniques was used to select 132 respondents. The questionnaire and checklist of questions for key informants’ interviews were the main instruments used for data collection. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to compute the characteristics and distribution of respondents. Conventional mapping was used to map SVC based on flow of products along the chain, and content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data collected from key informants’ interviews. The study found that gender inequalities exist in the SVC nodes in Mvomero District. The differences are attributable to differences in power relations with regard to access to and control over resources between women and men. The most lucrative nodes such as processing and marketing were dominated by men while women dominated less paying activities such as bird scaring and winnowing. Ordinal logistic regression was used to establish the determinants of participation in the SVC. Findings revealed more male than female farmers were categorized in the medium level of participation. Furthermore, the ordinal regression model revealed that the smallholder farmers’ levels of participation in SVC among males were significant and negatively influenced by land ownership at (P