In the heart of Eritrea, smallholder dairy farmers are facing a pivotal moment. Their livelihoods, and the future of the country’s dairy sector, hinge on a delicate balance of empowerment, productivity, and market access. A recent study, published in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, sheds light on these challenges and offers a roadmap for improvement. The research, led by Stephen Onakuse from University College Cork, delves into the intricate web of factors influencing dairy productivity and poverty reduction among smallholder farmers.
The study, which surveyed 379 households across three Eritrean communities, reveals stark gender disparities in empowerment levels. Male household heads are more empowered than their female counterparts, a trend that echoes across the regions of Anseba, Debub, and Maekel. “The disparities are significant,” Onakuse notes, “and addressing them is crucial for sustainable development and poverty reduction.”
Empowerment, the study finds, has a tangible impact on labor productivity and poverty reduction. For male-headed households, empowerment leads to an 11.50% increase in labor productivity and a 10.57% reduction in poverty. For female-headed households, the figures are even more pronounced, with an 18.49% increase in labor productivity and a 9.91% reduction in poverty. These findings underscore the potential of empowerment programs to drive economic growth and alleviate poverty.
The research also identifies several key factors influencing labor productivity. For male farmers, dairy experience, labor cost, and cooperative membership have a positive effect. For both male and female farmers, herd size, type of dairy production practice, and perception of government policies play significant roles. Notably, education level, farmer’s age, and milk price have a negative effect on labor productivity, highlighting areas for targeted intervention.
So, what does this mean for the future of Eritrea’s dairy sector? The study recommends context-specific empowerment strategies to boost productivity and market access, particularly for female farmers. By involving more women in these strategies, the gender gap can be reduced, promoting gender equality and supporting sustainable development.
The implications of this research extend beyond Eritrea, offering valuable insights for other regions grappling with similar challenges. As Onakuse puts it, “The findings provide a blueprint for policymakers and practitioners seeking to enhance dairy productivity and reduce poverty among smallholder farmers.”
The study’s use of the Abbreviated Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index (A-WEAI) and an instrumental variable estimator (IVE) adds a layer of rigor to the analysis, ensuring that the recommendations are evidence-based and actionable. As the dairy sector continues to evolve, this research serves as a timely reminder of the power of empowerment and the importance of gender equality in driving sustainable development.