A Gender Analysis on the Involvement of Farmers in Rice-bean (Vigna umbellata) Production Activities in the Selected Regions of Nyanza, Kenya

Aim: Analyze gender relationships and farmers' involvement in rice-bean (Vigna ambellata) production activities in selected regions of Nyanza, Kenya.

Study Design: Ex post facto survey design was used.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in selected regions of Siaya, Kisii, and Migori between August 2020 and July 2021.

Methodology: Questionnaires and interviews were administered to collect information from 103 households; Kisii (18) Siaya (24) and Migori (61). Analysis was through the statistical package for social Scientist's version 26(SPSS; 26). ANOVA was used to determine the level of involvement by gender in rice-bean production, ordinal regression was used to determine the influence of gender on rice-bean production, and chi-square to determine the association between gender and rice-bean production.

Results: The response rate was 100% (N=103). Women were more involved in rice-bean production with a production index of 2.96 compared to men who had a production index of 2.39 translating to a significant association between gender and production activities (F=50.189, P-val=0.00<0.05). Gender influences rice-bean production by 61.3%. The chi-square test showed a significant association between gender and rice-bean production (P=0.001<0.05).

Conclusion: Gender influences the level of involvement in rice-bean production activities; efforts to revive rice beans may not be realized if the needs of male and female farmers are not treated separately in rice-bean production and priority is given to those that exhibit a high level of involvement. The article collaborates with the existing theory by Eagly on gender and division of labor based on stereotyping and societal nurturance to produce gender-specific roles. Efforts should be set up by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture in conjunction with other stakeholders to formulate policies to mainstream gender involvement in rice-bean production to unlock rice-bean potential. Provide certified seeds and extension education blended with rice-bean agronomic information.