Smallholder Horticultural Commercialization: Gender Roels and Implications for Household Well-being in Kenya

Commercialization of agriculture is often associated with decline in women control even for previously women-managed crops such as vegetables. This study utilizes survey data of over 300 smallholder vegetable producers in selected regions in Kenya to access the gender roles in horticultural commercialization, identify determinants of women participation in vegetable markets and evaluate the impact of women control over production and revenues derived from vegetables on household well-being. Women have limited access to vegetable production and marketing training, extension services, agricultural credit and membership in farmer groups compared to men. Empirical results indicate that female participation in commercialization of vegetables is positively related to their membership in farmer groups, younger age, education, large number of female adults in the household, female ownership of assets and access to business. Female management of vegetable plots relates negatively to households’ food, clothing, school fees and health care expenditures.