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The Role of Gender and Kinship Structure in Household Decision-Making for Agriculture and Tree Planting in Malawi

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  • Meijer, Seline S.
  • Sileshi, Gudeta W.
  • Kundhlande, Godfrey
  • Catacutan, Delia
  • Nieuwenhuis, Maarten

Abstract

This study examines household decision-making on various agricultural activities—including tree planting and management—among farming families in Malawi. A mixed-method approach consisting of a household survey (containing 135 married respondents and 16 focus group discussions) was used to analyze the gender dimensions of decision-making and the role of kinship structure. The study found that most decisions in relation to agricultural activities are made either by the husband or by the husband and wife together. However, decisions regarding tree planting and tree management are more often made by the household head alone, and are considered mainly the domain of men. These results were reinforced by the focus group discussions, which also revealed that women do play a role in the implementation of these activities. In patrilineal households decisions were made more often by the husband alone compared to matrilineal families where there was more joint decision-making by husbands and wives together. Decision-making on tree planting by the wife and joint decision-making on tree management resulted in higher densities of trees planted on farms compared to situations where decisions were made by the husband alone.

Suggested Citation

  • Meijer, Seline S. & Sileshi, Gudeta W. & Kundhlande, Godfrey & Catacutan, Delia & Nieuwenhuis, Maarten, 2015. "The Role of Gender and Kinship Structure in Household Decision-Making for Agriculture and Tree Planting in Malawi," Journal of Gender, Agriculture and Food Security (Agri-Gender), Africa Centre for Gender, Social Research and Impact Assessment, vol. 1(1).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:afgend:246044
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.246044
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    2. Moses Mosonsieyiri Kansanga & Rachel Bezner Kerr & Esther Lupafya & Laifolo Dakishoni & Isaac Luginaah, 2024. "Can gender transformative agroecological interventions improve women’s autonomy?," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 41(3), pages 1161-1175, September.
    3. Tewodaj Mogues & Valerie Mueller & Florence Kondylis, 2019. "Cost-effectiveness of community-based gendered advisory services to farmers: Analysis in Mozambique and Tanzania," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(3), pages 1-32, March.
    4. Andeltová, Lucie & Catacutan, Delia C. & Wünscher, Tobias & Holm-Müller, Karin, 2019. "Gender aspects in action- and outcome-based payments for ecosystem services—A tree planting field trial in Kenya," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 13-22.
    5. Miller, Daniel C. & Muñoz-Mora, Juan Carlos & Christiaensen, Luc, 2017. "Prevalence, economic contribution, and determinants of trees on farms across Sub-Saharan Africa," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 47-61.
    6. Emmanuel Olatunbosun Benjamin, 2020. "Smallholder Agricultural Investment and Productivity under Contract Farming and Customary Tenure System: A Malawian Perspective," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-17, August.

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