Gender Mainstreaming in Poultry Production and Marketing in Nyandarua County in Kenya

Aim: This study examined gender issues in poultry production and marketing in Nyandarua County, Kenya, with a focus on the roles, decision-making, access to, and control of productive resources by men and women within the poultry value chain. Methods: Data were collected using qualitative methods, including key informant interviews and focus group discussions, alongside a quantitative household survey involving 324 households selected through a systematic sampling procedure. The data were entered into SPSS version 20 and analyzed using descriptive statistics guided by the Harvard Analytical Framework. Results: The findings revealed that women dominated decision-making and performed most poultry production and marketing activities, including feeding, watering, and marketing. Women also had greater access to and control of production resources such as labor, poultry feed, and extension services. Conversely, men had greater access to and control of land and credit, which are critical productive resources. Conclusion: The study concludes that although women play a central role in poultry farming, their limited access to land and credit significantly constrains their productivity, profitability, and ability to sustainably scale up poultry enterprises. Recommendation: The study recommends strengthening women's economic empowerment within the poultry value chain by improving their access to and control of productive resources, particularly land and affordable credit. It also recommends reducing women's workload through the promotion of labor-saving technologies such as automated feeders and drinkers, egg collection systems, energy-efficient incubators, and mechanized feed processing.