Addressing gender disparities through farming organisations in Malawi
Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy
ISSN: 1750-6204
Article publication date: 12 October 2015
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore how Farming Organisations (FOs) have utilised collective action to overcome the barriers that undermine women farmers’ participation in the agrarian economy in Malawi.
Design/methodology/approach
Key informant interviews were conducted with 17 stakeholders from across relevant governmental departments, non-governmental agencies, commercial agricultural organizations and FO officials. Focus groups discussions were conducted with women participants from five FOs.
Findings
Analysis identified barriers to women farmer’s full participation in the agricultural sector in three domains: structural (concerning land ownership and control), material (concerning access to agricultural services and markets) and socio-cultural (regarding gender roles and responsibilities). Malawian FOs demonstrated strength in addressing material barriers and in fostering re-alignment of socio-cultural conventions, but have not, to date, effectively engaged in structural issues of land reform.
Research limitations/implications
Research was conducted with a limited number of stakeholders and FOs identified through snowball sampling. There is potential for findings to be non-representative of the country as a whole, and more systematic study of FOs in Malawi is warranted to determine the generalisability of observed trends.
Practical implications
The study draws attention to the crucial importance of action regarding land reform if women are to be more effectively and equitably engaged in the agrarian economy in Malawi.
Originality/value
The paper is an examination of the experience of women farmers in Malawi and speaks to the potential contribution of FOs in addressing the challenges they face.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The valuable guidance provided by Imani Development Consultants and the UK Cooperative College is gratefully acknowledged. An earlier version of this paper was presented the July 2012 Co-Operative College Conference “An Alternative for the 21st Century?”
Citation
Ager, C. (2015), "Addressing gender disparities through farming organisations in Malawi", Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, Vol. 9 No. 4, pp. 361-375. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-09-2013-0027
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited