Role of Women in Fish Processing at Msaka Beach in Mangochi District, Southern Malawi

Abstract

The study aimed at determining fish processing techniques and factors that influence involvement of women in fish processing in Malawi. Systematic random sampling was used to select a total of 89 women who were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Frequency tables was used to show the number of women involved in fish in processing while cross tabulations were used to show relationship between factors that influence involvement of women in fish processing. Chi-square test was used to show the significant differences between factors that influence involvement of women and processing techniques. The study found out that a majority of women (82%) process fish through sun-drying while a few parboils (4%), smoking is done by (2%) and(1%). Â sell fresh fish. Lack of fish processing materials mainly firewood appears to be the major drive towards use of sun-drying. Furthermore, level of education, marital status and household size were the factors that influence involvement of women in fish processing.