Commercialisation of the sweetpotato value chain: Impacts on women producers in Mozambique

Traditionally, sweetpotato is a woman's crop grown primarily for food in Mozambique. With the introduction of Vitamin A rich varieties, efforts were made to commercialize the crop. This study assessed the effects of this commercialization on women producers. Findings indicate that though women devot...

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Autores principales: Mayanja, S., Mudege, Netsayi N., Snyder, K.A., Kwikiriza, N., Munda, E., Achora, Janet C., Grant, F.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: SAGE Publications 2022
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/119903
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author Mayanja, S.
Mudege, Netsayi N.
Snyder, K.A.
Kwikiriza, N.
Munda, E.
Achora, Janet C.
Grant, F.
author_browse Achora, Janet C.
Grant, F.
Kwikiriza, N.
Mayanja, S.
Mudege, Netsayi N.
Munda, E.
Snyder, K.A.
author_facet Mayanja, S.
Mudege, Netsayi N.
Snyder, K.A.
Kwikiriza, N.
Munda, E.
Achora, Janet C.
Grant, F.
author_sort Mayanja, S.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Traditionally, sweetpotato is a woman's crop grown primarily for food in Mozambique. With the introduction of Vitamin A rich varieties, efforts were made to commercialize the crop. This study assessed the effects of this commercialization on women producers. Findings indicate that though women devoted more land to sweetpotato, men got higher yields, sold more and obtained better prices. Nonetheless, women dominated the roots value chain and increased their participation in markets. The more lucrative sweetpotato vine chain was dominated by men (75% men), as the resources and skills required to engage in this activity were a significant challenge for women. Women perceived that sweetpotato commercialization increased their ability to make production decisions, though it has not resulted in any changes in ownership of resources. Women and men both noted a subtle change in norms. Men for example perceived that their ability to make decisions had reduced, while women noted that they had taken on more leadership positions locally. These changes might be attributed to the role played by project implementors who encouraged men to allow their spouses to engage more in commercial activities. Whilst women faced challenges related to literacy, market entry and access to resources, they valued the experience obtained in improving their entrepreneurial skills. Future commercialization initiatives should work on linking women to business services and building stronger farmer-processer linkages. Efforts to sensitize men about the benefits of women's engagement in business showed some impact and should be included in further work on crop commercialization.
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spelling CGSpace1199032025-07-23T18:05:32Z Commercialisation of the sweetpotato value chain: Impacts on women producers in Mozambique Mayanja, S. Mudege, Netsayi N. Snyder, K.A. Kwikiriza, N. Munda, E. Achora, Janet C. Grant, F. gender empowerment sweet potatoes value chains ecology Traditionally, sweetpotato is a woman's crop grown primarily for food in Mozambique. With the introduction of Vitamin A rich varieties, efforts were made to commercialize the crop. This study assessed the effects of this commercialization on women producers. Findings indicate that though women devoted more land to sweetpotato, men got higher yields, sold more and obtained better prices. Nonetheless, women dominated the roots value chain and increased their participation in markets. The more lucrative sweetpotato vine chain was dominated by men (75% men), as the resources and skills required to engage in this activity were a significant challenge for women. Women perceived that sweetpotato commercialization increased their ability to make production decisions, though it has not resulted in any changes in ownership of resources. Women and men both noted a subtle change in norms. Men for example perceived that their ability to make decisions had reduced, while women noted that they had taken on more leadership positions locally. These changes might be attributed to the role played by project implementors who encouraged men to allow their spouses to engage more in commercial activities. Whilst women faced challenges related to literacy, market entry and access to resources, they valued the experience obtained in improving their entrepreneurial skills. Future commercialization initiatives should work on linking women to business services and building stronger farmer-processer linkages. Efforts to sensitize men about the benefits of women's engagement in business showed some impact and should be included in further work on crop commercialization. 2022-09 2022-06-23T00:34:33Z 2022-06-23T00:34:33Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/119903 en Limited Access SAGE Publications Mayanja, S.; Mudege, N.; Snyder, K. A.; Kwikiriza, N.; Munda, E.; Achora, J.; Grant, F. 2022. Commercialisation of the sweetpotato value chain: Impacts on women producers in Mozambique. Outlook on Agriculture. ISSN 2043-6866.
spellingShingle gender
empowerment
sweet potatoes
value chains
ecology
Mayanja, S.
Mudege, Netsayi N.
Snyder, K.A.
Kwikiriza, N.
Munda, E.
Achora, Janet C.
Grant, F.
Commercialisation of the sweetpotato value chain: Impacts on women producers in Mozambique
title Commercialisation of the sweetpotato value chain: Impacts on women producers in Mozambique
title_full Commercialisation of the sweetpotato value chain: Impacts on women producers in Mozambique
title_fullStr Commercialisation of the sweetpotato value chain: Impacts on women producers in Mozambique
title_full_unstemmed Commercialisation of the sweetpotato value chain: Impacts on women producers in Mozambique
title_short Commercialisation of the sweetpotato value chain: Impacts on women producers in Mozambique
title_sort commercialisation of the sweetpotato value chain impacts on women producers in mozambique
topic gender
empowerment
sweet potatoes
value chains
ecology
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/119903
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