Understanding gendered aspirations, decision-making, and fruit tree preferences in Makueni County, Kenya

Abstract In Makueni County, Kenya, smallholder farmers face erratic rainfall, severe droughts, recurrent floods, and water scarcity due to climate change. Understanding farmers’ aspirations is therefore essential to ensuring that support is relevant and responsive. This study explored: (1) farmers’ aspirations for farm composition, particularly fruit tree species, and potential changes in response to market and climate shifts; (2) gender dynamics shaping fruit tree cultivation decisions; and (3) connections between cultivated species, aspirations, and decision-making across gender and age. Data collected via focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews and key informant interviews revealed a shift towards fruit-tree-based livelihoods, ostensibly offering improved food and income security and reduced labour. However, this shift, dominated by a few exotic species, may reduce farm- and landscape-scale species diversity. Decision-making was strongly gendered: men dominated species selection and management and controlled large-scale sales of higher-value fruit, owing to land ownership, knowledge and cultural norms, while women held greater power over small-scale sales, lower-value species and the income these generated. To foster equitable, resilient farming systems, we recommend inclusive, gender-responsive fruit tree production and management training. Transforming gender relations to amplify women’s voices in species selection could diversify fruit tree portfolios and lead to more equitable and biodiverse farming systems.