Harnessing gender roles in the dairy value chain to improve productivity: a case study of Bubaare sub county, Mbarara district

Abstract

Women in Uganda play a vital role in dairy production, especially on a small scale but most of them can only access livestock by virtue of relationship to their fathers, husbands or sons. Despite the active participation of women in dairy production, they often face a number of gender-based constraints such as lack of ownership rights and control over resources like land and dairy animals which greatly affects their participation in dairy production. The main objectives for this research were to establish gender roles along the dairy value chain, to establish causes and perceptions of variation in gender roles along the dairy value chain, and assess gender related constraints involved in dairy production. In order to achieve the study objectives, a mix of methods were used. These included, observation, photography, administering of questionnaires through interviews and literature review. Data was collected from Bubaare sub county, Mbarara District in Western Uganda from dairy farms and dairy processing firms. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results showed that members of household play different roles in dairy keeping activities. Men do more of the off farm activities and have more power than women, in terms of decision making although women are also actively involved in the dairy value chain. Explanation for causes of variations in gender roles along the dairy value chain include culture, which does not make women final decision makers, low knowledge of animal husbandry by women compared to men, limited collateral security, domestic work overload and religious teachings which make fathers the head of the family and decision maker among others. The gender related constraints involved in dairy production identified were expensive dairy technology, limited skills to do the dairy activities, high interest rates on credit, and unreliable electricity among others. The research concluded that both men and women play many roles in the dairy value chain, women’s roles in the society should be recognized and appreciated