PASHFARM
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- PublicationAdvancing Gender-Responsive Support to Food SMEs to Improve Access to Safe, Affordable and Nutritious Food in Malawi(AERC, 2026) Gitau, Raphael K.; Wekesa, Bright; Harawa, Philip P.; Shashi, Njile Isaack; Ninsiima, Racheal; Chelang'a, Naomi Chebiwot; Mugisha, Baine Euzobia; Korir Emily6Small and Medium-scale food vendors operating in local markets in Lilongwe are crucial in the provision of food to households, especially those from low-income stratum. Despite their significance, food vendors’ ability to supply consumers with affordable, safe and nutritious food is constrained by limited accessibility to business credit, limited accessibility to business registration services, limited accessibility to business support groups and mentorship, and limited accessibility to and utilisation of sanitation facilities in the local markets. It is imperative, therefore, to cascade business registration services to local market levels; devise and roll-out gender-inclusive mechanisms to incentivise food traders to register their enterprises; strictly enforce food safety measures among food traders at all times and undertake periodic assessments of business development needs of food SMEs and implement appropriate actions. Food vendors as well, through the leadership in the local markets, should always be pro-active in demanding hygienic, safe and inclusive market infrastructure from duty bearers; be pro-active in identifying and engaging business development facilitators, and facilitate development and strengthening of business support groups among the food SMEs.
- PublicationStrengthening Household Nutrition in Senegal: Addressing Gendered Impacts of Food Price Volatility(AERC, 2025) Dumas, Tsambou André; Sergeo, Tagang Tene Nelson; Falone, Kenne; Bayompe, Kabou AlbertineRecurrent global food price crises have pushed food security to the top of the international political agenda. One in nine people worldwide and four in nine in sub-Saharan Africa cannot meet their energy requirements for food (FAO, 2015). Gender discrimination probably impacts women more heavily in many African countries. Additionally, 37 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, 42.3% of whom are women, fell below the poverty line in 2021 because of volatile prices for essential goods. Food price volatility refers to seasonal, abrupt, or unexpected variations in food prices relative to the long-term price trend. While gradual fluctuations reflecting predictable seasonal patterns are not a concern, large, frequent, and unidirectional price fluctuations pose significant problems. High, volatile, and unstable prices create uncertainties and risks for producers, traders, consumers, and governments, potentially having considerable negative consequences for the agricultural sector and household food consumption.
- PublicationAddressing Gender Inequalities and Strengthening Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises to Improve Food and Nutrition Security(AERC, 2025) Opata, Patience; Ume, Chukwuma O.; Ezeibe, Adaku; Anugwa, Ifeoma Q.; Davidson, Gloria; Onogwu, ElizabethWomen play a critical yet undervalued role within small and medium-scale seafood and fruit enterprises in Nigeria. The involvement of women in these enterprises is crucial, as they frequently manage both the production and the processing aspects, which are pivotal for the sustainability of these businesses and the nutrition of communities. These disparities stem from unequal access to resources, decision-making authority, and market information, which are compounded by cultural norms and institutional biases. Recent studies have shown that when women control more household resources, the outcomes include improved household nutrition and health, higher levels of education among children, and overall enhanced household resilience against economic shocks. However, while women own 42.1% of micro-enterprises, their presence declines sharply to 13.6% in small enterprises and is nearly absent in medium enterprises. Although women make up almost 70% of the agricultural labour force, they receive less than 10% of available agricultural credit and control only about 14% of registered land, limiting their ability to expand businesses and access profitable markets. A 2024 study reveals that women-led businesses in Nigeria generate 34% less revenue than male-led counterparts due to these structural challenges. This imbalance exacerbates economic inequality and hinders Nigeria’s progress toward inclusive food system development and national food security.
- PublicationShaping Demand for Nutritious Crops: Insights on Consumer Willingness to Pay for Iron-Biofortified Beans in Kenya(AERC, 2025) Obebo, Forah; Ateka, Josiah; Muniu, Joseph; Kiio, Juliana; Mwangi, ChristineBeans are a key staple in Kenya, yet per capita consumption (15 kg/year) falls below other key foods like maize, wheat rice and potato. (KNBS, 2025). This lower intake is partly linked to undesirable traits such as flatulence, poor taste, and long cooking times. Since 2017, organizations have promoted BIBs varieties (Nyota, Angaza, and Faida). However, uptake remains low and awareness is limited as only 1 in 10 Kenyans know about BIBs (CIAT, 2020). Introducing new foods BIBs requires a strong understanding of how marketing, psychology, and economics shape consumer decisions. People weigh several attributes when choosing beans, including price, nutrition, taste, colour, size, cooking time, and convenience. Adoption also differs across social groups: women, who often make food and nutrition decisions, respond differently to health messaging, while rural and urban consumers vary in their preferences, market exposure, and familiarity with bean varieties. The findings and recommendations are based on evidence from a survey of 561 rural and urban consumers in Kenya.
- PublicationEnhancing Gender-Responsive Governance in Uganda’s Urban Food Markets: Policy Options from St. Balikuddembe (Owino) and Kalerwe(AERC, 2025) Gitau, Raphael; Baine, Euzobia M. Mugisha; Ninsiima, Racheal; Chelang'a, Naomi C.; Korir, Emily; Wekesa, Bright; Harawa, Philip Philemon; Shashi, Njile IsackUrban food markets in Kampala and Wakiso are critical for food access, employment, and women’s enterprise. Women drive food vending but operate under conditions marked by poor sanitation, insecure stall tenure, fragmented governance, and uneven enforcement. These gaps limit their earnings, compromise their safety, and constrain their economic empowerment. Uganda’s Constitution (1995) and several laws and policies, including the National Gender Policy (2007), Markets Act (Cap. 94), Public Health Act (Cap. 281), and Domestic Violence Act (2010), provide a framework for equality and safe workplaces. However, practical implementation in St. Balikuddembe (Owino) and Kalerwe remains gender-blind, with persistent gaps in gender specific infrastructure, grievance redress, and fee transparency. This brief, developed under the Policy Analysis for Sustainable and Healthy Foods in African Retail Markets (PASHFARM) initiative, draws on evidence from St. Balikuddembe (Owino) and Kalerwe markets. Using a qualitative approach guided by Kabeer’s Social Relations Framework, it highlights gender-related constraints, vendor experiences, and opportunities for policy action to build more inclusive and equitable market governance.