THE GENDER GAPS IN CHALLENGES FACING FARMERS IN IMPROVED BEE KEEPING: CASE OF THE MAASAI COMMUNITY IN TRANS MARA, NAROK COUNTY, KENYA

Authors

  • Miriti Lydiah School of Humanities and Social Sciences Department of Sociology and Gender Studies Kenyatta University Kenya
  • Wamue Ngare School of Humanities and Social Sciences Kenyatta University
  • Masiga Casper School of Humanities and Social Sciences Kenyatta University
  • Maina Immaculate Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation

Keywords:

Improved Bee Keeping, Challenges, Men and Women, Trans Mara, Narok County, Kenya.

Abstract

Purpose: This study sought to explore challenges facing men and women in improved bee keeping among the Maasai community in Trans Mara, Narok County.

Methodology: A mixed method approach was used thus, it was both qualitative and quantitative in nature. Through stratified random sampling, 180 respondents were interviewed for household surveys, 16 key informants (KII), and 36 participants for focus groups discussions (FGDs). Structured and Semi-structured interviews were used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data based on research objectives.

Findings: The study found that most women who resided far from the demonstration plot were never trained due to gender related factors such as mobility, marital status, time, as well as socio-cultural perceptions. Women were mostly constrained by capital while men who control large herds of livestock had no problem with money. In marketing, women were more vulnerable in comparison to men due to challenges in mobility and time to move out and search for better markets. Improved bee keeping can employ the resource-poor who mainly comprise of women.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that interventions with improved bee keeping should purpose to understand the specific challenges and cultural factors that constrain both genders in communities. To enhance access to trainings, there is need to construct demonstration trials within the localities for ease of access to both genders especially women. Forums should be enhanced to empower both genders on importance of joint sharing of productive assets

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Miriti Lydiah, School of Humanities and Social Sciences Department of Sociology and Gender Studies Kenyatta University Kenya

PhD Student

Wamue Ngare, School of Humanities and Social Sciences Kenyatta University

Associate Professor

Masiga Casper, School of Humanities and Social Sciences Kenyatta University

Senior Lecturer

Maina Immaculate, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation

Senior Researcher

References

Bravo-Baumann, H. (2000). Gender and livestock: capitalization of experiences on livestock projects and gender. Working Document. Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Bern. http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/LEAD/X6106E/x6106e00.HTM accessed on 22/1/2014
Carroll, Thomas (2006). A study of the beekeeping sector in Kenya. Baraka Beekeeping Development Unit/ Self Help Development International (SHDI) Molo, Kenya. http://www.sustainableag.org accessed on 1/8/2014.
Creswell, John. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.
Creswell, John. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed method Approaches. Fourth Edition. Sage Publications, Inc. United Kingdom. pp. 267-290. http://www.sageresearchmethods.com (Accessed on 30 June 2015).
Due, J., Magayane, A. and Temu, A. (1997). Gender again: views of female agricultural extension officers by smallholder farmers in Tanzania. World Development 25(5):713-125.
FAO (2006). Value-added products from beekeeping, by R. Krell, FAO Agricultural Services Bulletin No. 124, Rome, pp. 20-35.
FAO (2011). Notes on Livestock, Food Security and Gender Equity. Animal Production and Health Working Paper. No. 3. Rome.
GOK, (2009). Draft National Bee Keeping Policy 2009. Nairobi, Kenya.
GOK (2010). 2010 Population and Housing Census, Nairobi, Kenya.
IFAD, (2008). Enabling Poor Rural People to Overcome Poverty: A Beekeeping /Honey Value Chain Financing Study Report. The Institute of Community and Organizational Development (CODIT), Nairobi, Kenya.
Kimani, T., M., Ngethe, E., W. (2007). Enhancing livestock management skills amongst Maasai pastoral women of Magadi Division in Kenya: a CVA funded Kenya Women Veterinary Association Project. 4th Pan Commonwealth Veterinary Conference, 4-8 November 2007. Barbados, West Indies.
King, S. (2013). Women's Collective Action in the Honey Sector in Ethiopia: Involving Marginalized Women in Collective Action. In Women's Collective Action in African Agricultural Markets: The missing link for empowerment ed. Baden, S. and Davies, I. Oxfam GB. E. http://womenscollectiveaction.com/Phase+III
Kugonza, D., Kamatara, K., Nabakabya, D. and Kikonyogo, S. (2009). Effects of Hive Type and Tree Shade on Colonization Rate and Pest Prevalence of Honeybee (Apis Mellifera) Colonies in Central Uganda. Africa Journal of Animal and Biomedical Sciences 4(2): 1-5.
Martin, H., Nicola, B., and Danilo, M. (2012). Bee Keeping and Sustainable Livelihoods: Diversification booklet number 1 Second edition. FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy.
Miruka, K. Maureen and Maina, N. Immaculate. (2009). Development of Pro-Poor Agro-Enterprises Value Chains For Sustainable Rural Development. A project proposal to FORD Foundation for the period of December 1st 2009-November 30th 2011
Mburu, S., Njuki, J., and Kariuki, J. (2013). Livestock Information and Financial Services. In Women Livestock Ownership and Markets: Bridging the Gap in Eastern and Southern Africa, ed. Jemmimah Njuki and Pascal Sanginga, pp. 79-92. Nairobi, Kenya, ILRI.
Miriti, L., Murigi, S., Muthoni, E. and Mariara, J. (2018). A Draft Report on Technology Adoption in Banana Farming among Small Holder Farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya.
Monga, K. and Manocha, A. (2011). Adoption and constraints of beekeeping in District Panchkula (Haryana), India. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 23, Article #103., http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd23/5/mong23103.htm Accessed on 1/8/ 2014
Mujuni A, Natukunda, K. and Kugonza, D. (2012). Factors Affecting the Adoption of Beekeeping and Associated Technologies in Bushenyi District, Western Uganda. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 24, Article 133. http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd24/8/muju24133.htm Accessed on 1/8/ 2014
Mullins, G., L., Wahome, P., Tsangari, A., and Maarse. L. (1996). Impacts of Intensive Dairy Production on Smallholder Farm Women in Coastal Kenya. Human Ecology Journal 24(2):231-253.
NALEP (2009). Particular Assets and Vulnerabilities of rural Women within the Agricultural Sector in Kenya 2009.
PACT Kenya (2011). Scoping Study and Value Chain Analysis for Bee Keeping and Honey Products. A draft report by Liaison Consulting ltd. http://www.act.or.ke/publications/act-annual-reports/ accessed on 31/12/2013
Quisumbing, A. R. and Pandolfelli, L. (2010). "Promising Approaches to Address the Needs of Poor Female Farmers: Resources, Constraints, and Interventions". World Development, 38(4): 581-592.
Rangnekar, S. (1998). Women in livestock production in developing countries. International Conference on Sustainable Animal Production, 24-27 November, Hisar India.
Sitati, Noah and Bett, Stanely (2012). An Evaluation of Bee Keeping in the Agro-pastoral Masai Community of Trans Mara District, Kenya. Paper Presented during Sustainable Land Management National Conference in Naivasha, Kenya from 26th to 29th November 2013.
Tabinda, Q., Murad, A., Sajida, T. and Nadeem, A. (2013). Impact Assessment of Beekeeping in Sustainable Rural Livelihood. Journal of Social Sciences, COES&RJ-JSS, 2(2), pp. 82-90.
Teufel, N., Kuettner, K. and Gall, C. 1(998). Contribution of goat husbandry to household income in the Punjab (Pakistan): a review. Small Ruminant Research 28:101-107.
Waithanji, E., Njuki, J. and Nabintu, B. (2013). Gender participation in livestock Markets. In Women, Livestock Ownership and Markets: Bridging the Gap in Eastern and Southern Africa ed. Jemimah Njuki and Pascal Sangi, pp. 40. Ottawa, Canada: IRLI and IDRC.

Downloads

Published

2019-03-05

How to Cite

Lydiah, M., Ngare, W., Casper, M., & Immaculate, M. (2019). THE GENDER GAPS IN CHALLENGES FACING FARMERS IN IMPROVED BEE KEEPING: CASE OF THE MAASAI COMMUNITY IN TRANS MARA, NAROK COUNTY, KENYA. International Journal of Gender Studies, 4(1), 1 – 18. Retrieved from https://www.iprjb.org/journals/index.php/IJGS/article/view/838

Issue

Section

Articles