Gendered differences in decision-making and participation in value chains: lessons from the highlands of Peru

ABSTRACT

Value chain development (VCD) has emerged as one pro-poor market-oriented strategy targeting smallholder farmers. Emphasis has been placed on women smallholders, but few studies examine intra-household dynamics related to VCD opportunities. Through a case study on native potato value chains in the central highlands of Peru, this study draws on semi-structured interviews to explore intra-household decisions to participate in VCD, how household agricultural labour is organised, and barriers to women’s involvement. Despite efforts encouraging women to participate, men dominated all aspects of the initiative. Thus, proactive efforts by development organisations need to address resource discrepancies and entrenched gender norms.

KEYWORDS:

• Gender
• value chain development
• intra-household decision-making
• smallholder farmers
• market-oriented development

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this work was provided by the Rural Sociological Society 2017 Early Career Award.

Notes on contributors

Daniel Tobin

Dr Daniel Tobin is an assistant professor of Community and International Development at the University of Vermont. His research in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa focuses on small-scale farmer responses to social and environmental change.

Paige Castellanos

Dr Paige Castellanos is an Assistant Research Professor in the Office of International Programs in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Program Manager for the Gender Equity through Agricultural Research and Education Initiative at the Pennsylvania State University. With a focus on Latin America, Dr Castellanos conducts research at the intersection of gender and agriculture.