Significance of farming groups for resource access and livelihood improvement of rural smallholder women farmers

ABSTRACT

Farming groups are supposed to increase members’ access to inputs, equipment and better prices for their crops through collective marketing. Through qualitative methods, the study observed that women farming-group members have improved their access to agricultural resources and shifted to better farming methods. Ultimately, they have improved their productivity, incomes and, livelihoods. However, groups have demonstrated different abilities in terms of meeting member needs, due to differences in the capabilities of individual group members. Extra support and capacity building should be provided to women by supporting organisations to enable them to maximise their achievement in agricultural cooperatives.

KEYWORDS:

• Environment (built and natural) – Food security
• Aid – Development policies
• Labour and livelihoods – Poverty reduction
• Gender and diversity
• Sub-Saharan Africa

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Ministry of Agriculture, especially Mr Makame the Planning Officer for his constant advice during the fieldwork. We also wish to thank Mr Kirobo from the Department of Cooperatives, and district cooperative and agricultural officers for their support. We are also grateful to women from farming groups for their patience and cooperation. Most of all we are grateful to Oman Academic Fellowship who funded the study.

Notes on contributors

Mwanajuma S. Othman is a Postgraduate Research Student in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, UK.

Elizabeth Oughton is a Principal Research Associate in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, UK.

Guy Garrod is Professor in Environmental Economics in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, UK.