Locating smallholder women farmers in agricultural commercialisation: experiences from sugarcane growing in Mayuge district

Abstract

Agricultural commercialisation is occurring rapidly, and many smallholder farmers are abandoning food crops for cash crops such as sugarcane. About 80% of the sugarcane fed to sugarcane processing plants in Uganda is supplied by smallholder farmers. As far as smallholder women farmers are concerned, several studies have suggested that sugarcane growing has presented them with multiple challenges in performing their traditional role of food production. However, before conclusions and recommendations are made, there is a need to establish smallholder women’s status in commercial agriculture beyond food production. This study explores the position of smallholder women farmers in sugarcane-growing households in Mayuge District. Three aspects are analyzed: accessibility to land, level of participation in decision-making, and benefit from cane income. The study adopted a descriptive research design with a concurrent parallel approach. The target population was smallholder women farmers in sugarcane-growing households. The study employed purposive sampling techniques to collect qualitative and quantitative data. A sample size of 157 out of 248 smallholder farming households was used. The data collection methods included questionnaires, key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, and focused group discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while qualitative data was analyzed by coding and establishing common themes. The study revealed that although women remain the largest producers of food consumed in their households, they are also heavily involved in sugarcane growing. Due to male-dominated ownership of the sugarcane farms, the study found married women leading engagement in sugarcane growing compared to women of other marital statuses. Findings also suggest that more widowed women enjoy sugarcane farm ownership than other women. Accessibility and control over land determined the nature of involvement in sugarcane growing, influencing women’s level of participation in decision-making and control over and benefit from income.