Association Between Adoption of Selected Innovations and Gender Roles Among Paddy Farmers in Mkindo and Dakawa Irrigation Schemes

International Journal of Humanities and Social Science

© 2023 by SSRG - IJHSS Journal

Volume 10 Issue 1

Year of Publication : 2023

Authors : Solomon S. Mhango

10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V10I1P104

How to Cite?

Solomon S. Mhango, "Association Between Adoption of Selected Innovations and Gender Roles Among Paddy Farmers in Mkindo and Dakawa Irrigation Schemes," SSRG International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, vol. 10,  no. 1, pp. 18-25, 2023. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V10I1P104

Abstract:

Adoption of innovations has the potential to change the gender roles of farmers in paddy production as well as processing. This paper assessed the association between the adoption of selected innovations and the change in gender roles among paddy farmers in Mkindo and Dakawa irrigation schemes in the Mvomero District. Specifically, it examined the gender division of labour in paddy production and determined gender roles among non-adopters and adopters of innovations. The study involved 299 farmers who were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Quantitative data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Qualitative information related to gender roles were collected through in-depth interviews, key informant interview and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics 20 software by computing descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages. A chi-square test was conducted to test the associations between the adoption of each innovation and gender roles. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Gender division of labour indicated that male adults (MaA), female adults (FeA), male children (MaC) and female children (FeC) perform different activities in paddy production. There is an association between the adoption of innovations and the gender roles of paddy farmers (p < 0.001). The study found that female farmers performed burdened, tiresome activities, including transplanting, harvesting and winnowing, mostly performed in a bowing approach. Adoption of innovations shifted the paddy production role, labour provision role and financial management role from being male-dominated to being shared roles by both men and women. Extension officers and other agricultural development practitioners must create and raise awareness of the gender division of labour in the paddy farming community. It is recommended that extension agents should stress more the adoption of innovations in the area of study because it empowers women in paddy farming.

Keywords:

Adoption, Innovation, Paddy, Gender roles, Farmer.

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