Gender Analysis In Rice Production In Kyela District, Mbeya Region- Tanzania

ABSTRACT

Rice is the second most important food and commercial crop in Tanzania after maize.This study was designed to conduct gender analysis in rice production in Kyela district. This study was designed to conduct gender analysis in rice production in Kyela district. The study covered four randomly selected villages of Katumba, Mpunguti, Kasala andTenende. Data were analysed to obtain the descriptive statistics, Harvard analytical framework of activity profile were employed to assess gender roles in rice production, independent t-test was employed to compare rice production between male and female headed householdsand one way ANOVA used to test mean differences of rice production between MHH’s and FHH’s while multiple linear regression used to identify gender related socio-cultural factors that influence rice production. The study found that among MHH’s and FHH’s, who were literate, had higher rice production than illiterate ones. However, gender roles and time spent in rice production are almost equal. Furthermore, on the overall access and control over resources of MHH’s and FHH’s revealed that,(57%) male had higher access. In accessing to credit (49%), therefore, in order to improve gender on rice production education should be encouraged in the households’ members to uplift gender sensitivity and awareness in the households and access and control over resources should consider gender. It is recommended that in order to improve gender participation in rice production,awareness raising on equality and equity in access and control over resources, including access and control over land, and access to education among household members should be improved.