Gender Differential in Profitability and other Aspects of Smallholder Soybeans Production in Eastern Province, Zambia

Even though soyabeans production in Zambia is dominated by large farmers, getting increased yield to meet national requirements can only be achieved by increased participation of the teeming smallholders in soybeans cultivation. In the light of the recent increasing cultivation of soybeans by female farmers in the Eastern Province of Zambia, this study computed and compared profitability of male-owned and female-owned soyabeans farms. The specific objectives were to analyze gender dominance in cultivation activities, compare cost and returns, identify uses of profit and isolate factors affecting profit. The analytical tools used included descriptive statistics, Z-test and regression model. Summary statistics showed that 90.0% of male farmers was married while married female farmers constituted 73.3% of respondents. About 67.0% of male and 70.0% of female farmers attended and/or completed secondary school education. Male dominated land preparation (66.7%), produce transportation to market (65.0%) and weeding (56.7%) while females were dominant in planting (74.2%), shelling, (66.7%), bagging (71.7%) and marketing (82.0%). Quantity produced and profit were significantly higher for males while cost was higher for females. Male spent 57.7% of profit realised on purchase of household production assets like bicycles while female expended 63.3% of profit on foodstuffs consumed in the household. Expenditure by women was more household-centred compared with men. The variables influencing profit included formal education, extension visits, cost of transport, quantity of soybeans harvested and price. The major problems facing farmers included poor markets, low price and scarcity/high prices of inputs. It was concluded that men grew soybeans more profitably than women. It is recommended that extension services be tailored to women for enhanced profitability. Also, for its importance as a major protein source in the livestock industry, government needs to include soybeans among priority crops supported with inputs and purchased by the Food Reserves Agency to encourage increased cultivation and assure farmers of a ready market.