ANALYSIS OF GENDER DISAGGREGATED VEGETABLES VALUE CHAIN IN YAYU AND HURUMU DISTRICTS, ILLUABABORA ZONE, ETHIOPIA

This study aimed at Analyzing gender disaggregated vegetables value chain in Yayu and Hurumu districts of Illuababora zone, south west Ethiopia with specific objectives of examining the role of men and women in the vegetables value chain and assessing distribution of benefit among actors in vegetable value chain. The primary data for this study were collected from 117 cabbage and onion farmers, 37 traders and 31 consumers through appropriate statistical procedures. The study shows that both men and women are involved in vegetables production and marketing activities through 88% of the marketing of vegetables were done by women. The value chain analysis reveals that the major actors in the districts are input problem and lack of government support as the major problems. The reason could be low production habit and small land allocation for vegetables and institutional weakness. Average shares of profit of local collectors, wholesalers and retailers were 29.3%, 42.5% and 12.7% and 23.5%,34%, 10.1% in male and female actors, respectively, from the sales of one kilogram cabbage. This reveals that wholesalers benefited more than other actors. Average shares of profit of wholesalers and retailers were 18.8% and 29.6% and 18.2%, 28.6% in male and female actors, respectively, from the sales of one kilogram onion. This asserts that retailers benefit more than other actors. Therefore, policy aiming at improving actors access to improved extension service and empower women to enhance vegetable value chain in study area is crucial empower women to enhance vegetable value chain in study area is crucial.