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Equal Numbers, Equal Chances? A Case Study of Gender Differences in the Distribution of Social Capital in Smallholder Farmer Groups in Búzi District, Mozambique

The European Journal of Development Research volume 21, pages 264–282 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Despite the potential for local groups to contribute to rural development, it remains questionable whether social capital – as the ‘missing link’ in development – is compatible with the idea of gender equity strived for in ‘gender mainstreamed’ development projects. This paper examines engendered differences in smallholder farmer groups in Búzi district, and how social capital is generated and distributed. Although men and women equally invest in groups, in terms of participation in group activities or contribution of communal work, the benefits of social capital are significantly unequally distributed. Women find it harder to transform the number of social relations into improved information, access to markets or help in case of need.

Malgré le potentiel des groupes locaux pour contribuer au développement rural, il n'est pas certain que le capital social, en tant que chaînon manquant du développement, soit compatible avec le principe d'équité de genre recherchée par les projets de développement sensibles à la question du genre. Cet article examine les différences générées par des groupes de petits exploitants agricoles dans le district de Búzi et comment le capital social est créé et distribué. Alors qu'hommes et femmes investissent de façon équivalente, en termes de participation aux activités des groupes ou de contribution au travail communautaire, les bénéfices du capital social sont distribués de façon sensiblement inégale. Les femmes ont plus de difficultés à transformer les relations sociales en un meilleur accès à l'information, aux marchés ou en aide en cas de besoin.

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Notes

  1. This is a type of group where members come together to regularly contribute money (once a month or week) and in turn receive money on a rotating basis (Söderlund and Ödberg, 2001, p. 32). Variations exist, as some groups aim to build up collective funds and save for joint investments (for example agricultural tools that can be shared), to be able to provide credit to its members or to purchase common necessities (seeds, fertilizers and household goods).

  2. The co-existence of local government and traditional structures has been a major source of conflict and tension in rural areas since colonial times. In many regions, the traditional régulo system has been used by colonial powers for indirect rule; later, the ruling FRELIMO party attempted to co-opt traditional leaders or replace them with party secretaries, thus undermining their legitimacy and power (Marsh, 2003).

  3. Altruist orientation was measured by an ordinal variable based on the respondents’ willingness to contribute labour, money or both towards goods that do not bring direct benefit to the respondent.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the farmers in Búzi district for participating in the research, as well as to the project Promoção Económica de Camponeses (PROMEC) and the civil society organisation União Distrital de Apoio ãos Componeses (UDAC) for their logistical support in the carrying out of the field work to collect the data reported in this paper. The study was funded by the Government of Austria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universität für Bodenkultur (BOKU),

    Elisabeth Gotschi

  2. Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT),

    Elisabeth Gotschi, Jemimah Njuki & Robert Delve

Authors
  1. Elisabeth Gotschi
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  2. Jemimah Njuki
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  3. Robert Delve
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Appendix

Appendix

See Table A1.

Table a1 Overview on variables
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Gotschi, E., Njuki, J. & Delve, R. Equal Numbers, Equal Chances? A Case Study of Gender Differences in the Distribution of Social Capital in Smallholder Farmer Groups in Búzi District, Mozambique. Eur J Dev Res 21, 264–282 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1057/ejdr.2008.20

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Keywords

  • social capital
  • gender and development
  • farmer groups
  • rural development
  • Mozambique
  • smallholder farmers

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