Understanding gender power relations in irrigation resource access and decision-making in small-scale irrigation schemes in Mbarali District, Tanzania

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorMwalyagile Neema
dc.contributor.authorJeckoniah John Nshimba
dc.contributor.authorSalanga Raymond J.
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-23T14:19:19Z
dc.date.available2026-07-23T14:19:19Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.descriptionResearch paper, pp. 278-295
dc.description.abstractPurpose – Resource access and decision-making power remain critical gender concerns. This paper examines gender power relations in irrigation resource access and decision-making among smallholder rice farmers in Mbarali District, Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach – The study utilized a cross-sectional research design with mixed-method approaches. Quantitative data from 397 smallholder rice farmers were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including multiple linear regression models. Qualitative data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews were analyzed through thematic analysis. Findings – The study reveals that access to irrigation resources was mediated through multiple sources of power derived from the economic status of farmers, land ownership, marriage and social capital, shaping access differently for male and female farmers. Males dominated decision-making over land, labor, income and farming equipment, with exclusive irrigation water access rights. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that being male increased the decision-making power (coef. 5 0.890, p < 0.05). Factors like land size, scheme membership and joint farm management were positively associated with male decision-making power and marriage and joint rice selling enhanced female farmers (p < 0.01). Practical implications – The findings provide valuable insights for development practitioners and policymakers, highlighting the persistent gender inequalities in irrigation resources and decision-making. These insights inform practical and policy interventions to promote gender equality in resource access and decision-making. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the literature on how gender power relations shape irrigation resource access and decision-making, underscoring the need for gender-specific interventions to promote gender equality in resources.
dc.identifier.citationhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/2976-7261.htm
dc.identifier.issn2976-7261
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7832
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherIIMT Journal of Management
dc.subjectGender
dc.subjectPower relations
dc.subjectIrrigation
dc.subjectResources
dc.subjectAccess
dc.subjectDecision-making
dc.titleUnderstanding gender power relations in irrigation resource access and decision-making in small-scale irrigation schemes in Mbarali District, Tanzania
dc.typeArticle

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
Mwalyagile_Neema_SUA_Article_2024.pdf
Size:
681.2 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.75 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download

Collections

Articles, Conference and Workshop Papers Collection