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A crop of one's own? Women’s experiences of cassava commercialization in Nigeria and Malawi

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  • Forsythe, Lora
  • Posthummus, Helena
  • Martin, Adrienne

Abstract

Improving the effectiveness of agricultural markets for economic growth and poverty reduction has been a central focus for development initiatives, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Staple crops with low input requirements and drought tolerance, such as cassava, are being promoted for market development due to their accessibility for poor smallholder farmers. Narratives often equate commercialization of cassava to benefits for women, as cassava is commonly labelled a ‘women’s crop’. However, little is known about whether or how women can engage with new cassava commercial opportunities and the livelihood outcomes from this, particularly given the importance of cassava for food security. Findings from fieldwork in Nigeria and Malawi identify cassava value chains that offer different opportunities and challenges for women, which are often overlooked in agricultural development narratives. Women can gainfully participate in new commercial cassava opportunities while maintaining, if not increasing, food security. However, this is highly dependent on gender norms and household relations. Greater attention is required to these more difficult aspects of gender analysis in development projects to ensure women’s integration and benefit from agricultural markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Forsythe, Lora & Posthummus, Helena & Martin, Adrienne, 2016. "A crop of one's own? Women’s experiences of cassava commercialization in Nigeria and Malawi," Journal of Gender, Agriculture and Food Security (Agri-Gender), Africa Centre for Gender, Social Research and Impact Assessment, vol. 1(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:afgend:246033
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.246033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hannah Gichungi & Beatrice Muriithi & Patrick Irungu & Gracious Diiro & John Busienei, 2021. "Effect of Technological Innovation on Gender Roles: The Case of Fruit Fly IPM Adoption on Women’s Decision-Making in Mango Production and Marketing in Kenya," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 33(3), pages 407-426, June.
    2. Hannah Gichungi & Beatrice Muriithi & Patrick Irungu & Gracious Diiro & John Busienei, 0. "Effect of Technological Innovation on Gender Roles: The Case of Fruit Fly IPM Adoption on Women’s Decision-Making in Mango Production and Marketing in Kenya," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 0, pages 1-20.
    3. Walther, Olivier J. & Tenikue, Michel & Trémolières, Marie, 2019. "Economic performance, gender and social networks in West African food systems," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 1-1.
    4. Tsusaka, Takuji W. & Orr, Alastair & Msere, Harry W. & Homann-KeeTui, Sabine & Maimisa, Penias & Twanje, Gift H. & Botha, Rosemary, 2016. "Do Commercialization and Mechanization of a “Women’s Crop” Disempower Women Farmers? Evidence from Zambia and Malawi," 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts 235885, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    5. Suchi Kapoor Malhotra & Ashrita Saran & Sabina Singh & Swati Mantri & Neha Gupta & Ratika Bhandari & Howard White & Ranjitha Puskur & Sarah Young & Hugh Waddington & Edoardo Masset, 2023. "PROTOCOL: Value chain interventions for improving women's economic empowerment: A mixed‐method systematic review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(3), September.

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