In Nachiboya community, what farmers grow is not just a matter of preference it is shaped by access, roles, and power. A recent community mapping exercise brought farmers together to reflect on their realities, revealing how gender influences land allocation, crop choices, and ultimately, household nutrition and livelihoods.
The exercise, conducted under a four-year initiative by CTDT and Seed and Knowledge Initiative (SKI), created a platform for shared learning and dialogue among community members. The initiative aims to improve food security and dietary diversity among smallholder households by strengthening farmer-led seed systems and promoting the adoption of agroecology (AE) practices.
The findings highlighted notable gender dynamics in crop production; women generally cultivate crops on smaller portions of land compared to men, and there are clear differences in crop preferences. Women tend to grow crops such as nyemu ‘groundnuts’ and Chibwabwa ‘pumpkin leaves’, largely because they are responsible for food preparation and prioritize household nutrition. In contrast, men predominantly focus on maize production, as it is a staple crop and a key source of household income.
Discussions further revealed underlying power dynamics influencing land allocation and crop choices. Women reported having limited access to larger plots, as men often prioritize crops that require chemical spraying, which restricts women’s participation. As one participant, Mrs. Esther, shared, “Men refuse us to plant pumpkins because they want to spray their crops. They also limit the land available to us, leaving women with only small areas to manage.”
Additionally, women’s productive capacity is constrained by their dual responsibilities, as they are expected to manage their own fields while also contributing labor to men’s fields. While men focus more on income generation, women remain central to ensuring household nutrition. These findings highlight the need for more equitable access to land and resources, as well as inclusive approaches that recognize and support the complementary roles of both women and men in building resilient food system. In Nachiboya community, what farmers grow is not just a matter of preference it is shaped by access, roles, and power. A recent community mapping exercise brought farmers together to reflect on their realities, revealing how gender influences land allocation, crop choices, and ultimately, household nutrition and livelihoods.
The exercise, conducted under a four-year initiative by CTDT and Seed and Knowledge Initiative (SKI), created a platform for shared learning and dialogue among community members. The initiative aims to improve food security and dietary diversity among smallholder households by strengthening farmer-led seed systems and promoting the adoption of agroecology (AE) practices.
The findings highlighted notable gender dynamics in crop production; women generally cultivate crops on smaller portions of land compared to men, and there are clear differences in crop preferences. Women tend to grow crops such as nyemu ‘groundnuts’ and Chibwabwa ‘pumpkin leaves’, largely because they are responsible for food preparation and prioritize household nutrition. In contrast, men predominantly focus on maize production, as it is a staple crop and a key source of household income.
Discussions further revealed underlying power dynamics influencing land allocation and crop choices. Women reported having limited access to larger plots, as men often prioritize crops that require chemical spraying, which restricts women’s participation. As one participant, Mrs. Esther, shared, “Men refuse us to plant pumpkins because they want to spray their crops. They also limit the land available to us, leaving women with only small areas to manage.”
Additionally, women’s productive capacity is constrained by their dual responsibilities, as they are expected to manage their own fields while also contributing labor to men’s fields. While men focus more on income generation, women remain central to ensuring household nutrition. These findings highlight the need for more equitable access to land and resources, as well as inclusive approaches that recognize and support the complementary roles of both women and men in building resilient food systems.
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