Factors enabling the participation of women in income sharing among banana (musa spp.) producing households in South Imenti, Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

The growing demand for banana coupled with the introduction of better planting material in the last decade has led to increased area under banana production and commercialization. Just like most subsistence crops, banana production has been female dominated and controlled. However, commercialization has led to a dynamic shift in production with more men taking up active roles in the value chain. This has led to the displacement of women from the high value chain with men taking up dominant roles. The main objective of this paper was to determine factors that favor the participation of women in sharing of banana income. Data collection was done in March 2017 from 160 households in South Imenti, Meru County, Kenya. A systematic sampling technique was used to draw the respondents. Qualitative data was acquired through the use of key informant interviews and focus group discussions. A fractional logit model was used to determine the effects of independent variables on the participation of women in income sharing. Findings from the regression analysis indicate that the presence of off-farm income within the household increases the probability of a woman taking part in household decision-making.