An assessment of the roles of women small scale farmers’ contribution to agricultural production in Chegutu district.

Abstract

The study was conducted with the aim to empirically explore at women’s contribution to agriculture production. The objectives of the study were to understand women’s activities in small scale agriculture production, challenges they face and the coping strategies they employ in dealing with the identified challenges. Based on a qualitative methodology grounded in phenomenological interpretivism, a sample of ten women small scale farmers were purposively recruited from Celary and Oldharm resettlement scheme whilst five key informants who comprised of the Chegutu District Administrator, District agricultural extension officer, District veterinary officer, Ward 24 Councillor and Chief Ngezi’s representative were recruited using snow ball sampling. Data generation was through face to face interviews. Data was presented through thematic content analysis whilst the feminist political ecological framework was used in interpreting the research findings. The study established that women are the key players in agriculture production as they partake in land tillage, planting, weeding, harvest, post-harvest management and marketing using Tinevimbo multipurpose cooperative. The findings further established that women own and control small livestock which includes chickens, rabbits, goats and sheep whilst men retain control of cattle. The findings also revealed that women are in charge of tseu (women’s small subsistence plot) and grow crops like vegetables, groundnuts and rapoko whilst men are in control of the main field and concentrate on cash crops like tobacco. Despite women partaking in everyday agricultural work, decision making and crop preference at household level in post fast track land reform Celary and Oldham remain a preserve for men. However, the findings established that in as far as women are the main players in agricultural production they have limited access to various forms of capital which inhibit them from realising their full production capacity. Women have limited access to credits due to lack of collateral security acceptable by financing institutions. Distribution of state sponsored inputs curry favour men and excludes women which is even perpetuated in agricultural extension work coverage. In coping with the work load women small scale farmers have resorted to partake in nhimbe as a way of assisting each other. They have also formed a multi-purpose cooperative called Tinevimbo which assists women in all spheres of agricultural production from facilitating human capital development, access to inputs, lobbying for women’s rights and marketing of women agricultural produce.