THE ROLE OF GENDER IN THE COFFEE VALUE CHAIN IN BULE WOREDA, GEDEO ZONE, SOUTH ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine the role of gender in the coffee value chain in bule woreda, gedeo zone, south Ethiopia. Women play a vital role in Ethiopia's coffee industry, contributing significantly at every stage of production. Despite their crucial contributions, women face substantial challenges that limit their access to benefits and opportunities. Understanding gender roles is essential for improving the agricultural value chain. This study aimed to assess the role of gender in the coffee value chain in Bule Woreda, Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources, including a household survey of 220 households, interviews with traders (7 collectors, 3 suppliers, 1 cooperative, 4 exporters, 14 wholesalers 18 retailers, 2 processes and 1 cooperative union), and secondary data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and an econometric model. The analysis revealed a significant gendered division of labor in coffee production, highlighting stark disparities in participation between male- and female-headed households. Men dominated physically demanding tasks such as pruning, with 65.1% of tasks being performed by husbands in male-headed households compared to only 1.2% of women in female-headed households. Women's participation in composting was higher (17.4% of women in female-headed households) compared to men (1.2% of husbands in female-headed households), while weeding showed a similar disparity, with 24.9% of men in male-headed households involved compared to only 6.2% of women. Econometric model results, using a Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) analysis, identified five significant explanatory variables influencing coffee sales volume: production in kilograms, coffee farming experience, education levels of the household head, frequency of extension contact, and the gender of the household head. To address gender inequalities and enhance women's participation in the coffee value chain, it is crucial to implement targeted interventions focused on skills development, access to resources, market participation, and gender-sensitive policies.