Gender Disparities and Power Dynamics in Sunflower Value Chains: Evidence from Singida District, Tanzania

Abstract

Sunflower cultivation in Tanzania, particularly in Singida District, represents a critical source of income and nutrition for smallholder farmers, with women constituting the majority of producers. Despite their significant contributions, women face systemic gender disparities in accessing production resources, extension services, and market opportunities, rooted in patriarchal norms and cultural practices. This study problematizes these inequalities by examining the roles, relationships, and power dynamics between male and female farmers in the sunflower value chain, highlighting how social and cultural barriers perpetuate unequal resource distribution and limit women’s economic empowerment. Drawing on mixed-methods data from the Agricultural Policy Research in Africa (APRA) study conducted in Iramba and Mkalama districts between 2017 and 2022, this paper employs descriptive and inferential statistical analyses to reveal significant gender gaps. For instance, chi-square tests indicate that men are significantly more likely to access improved seeds (χ² = 12.45, p < 0.01) and processing machinery (χ² = 15.67, p < 0.001) than women, while women’s land ownership is 45% lower on average (t = 3.89, p < 0.05). Qualitative findings further underscore that men dominate decision-making in marketing and income control, marginalizing women’s agency. These disparities undermine the potential of the sunflower sub-sector to foster equitable and sustainable development. Addressing these challenges requires targeted interventions, such as gender-transformative policies and community-based education programs, to promote equitable access to resources, enhance women’s participation in high-value chain nodes, and ensure inclusive benefits from sunflower commercialization.