The Benefits And Challenges Of Women Participation In Rice Production Chain In Three Villages Of Mkindo, Kigugu And Msufini In Mvomero District, Morogoro Region

ABSTRACT

Agriculture for over fifty years now is regarded as the backbone of Tanzanian economy, and women are estimated to be involved as about 70 to 80 percent. Among the major crops cultivated, rice is the second most important crop after maize. In 2013, Tanzania is estimated to produce 883 tons of rice while consumption is about 1,006 tons, making Tanzania to be self sufficient for rice to the extent of only 91%, and to date it is ranking 14 in Africa and 137 in the World, and the second largest rice producer in Eastern Africa after Madagascar. This study intended to investigate the benefits and challenges of women participation in rice production chain in three villages of Msufini, Mkindo and Kigugu at Mvomero District Morogoro region in Tanzania. Using simple random procedures and survey as methods for data collection, data were collected from 90 women rice farmers from Kigugu, Mkindo and Msufini villages using questionnaire as a tool. Also, 5 key informants obtained from local government agricultural officers, and village leaders using interview method and interview guide as a tool which comprised of a total of 95 respondents. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS computer software to obtain simple percentage counts. The results indicated that women are the major participants on rice production chain. They performed all major activities as about 67.7% respondents mentioned, also women faced various challenges during participation on rice cultivation such as lack of fertilizer due to inadequate of money, lack of access to education, lack of access to land ownership, not able to own money gained from paddy, lack of access to decision making on paddy cultivation and technology. Despite the problems that women rice farmers faced during rice cultivation and marketing as a whole, there are some benefits that they got like food, shelter and school fees for their children. Additionally, options to attract other women to participate on paddy cultivation proposed to be based on credit provision, land ownership and investment into agriculture, Introduction of modern farming methods such as creation of more irrigation schemes, the use of better farming equipments like tractors, creation of conducive environment for agriculture products like reliable and stable market are also recommended.