Sustainability and Gender Dynamics of Coffee Value-Chain Development Intervention: Lessons from Ethiopia

Negussie Efa Gurmessa (), Charles Agwanda, George Oduor, Richard O. Musebe, Morris Akiri and Dannie Romney
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Negussie Efa Gurmessa: CAB International, Addis Ababa 100913, Ethiopia
Charles Agwanda: CAB International Associates, Nairobi 633-00621, Kenya
George Oduor: CAB International Associates, Nairobi 633-00621, Kenya
Richard O. Musebe: CAB International Associates, Nairobi 633-00621, Kenya
Morris Akiri: CAB International, Nairobi 633-00621, Kenya
Dannie Romney: CAB International, Nairobi 633-00621, Kenya

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-16

Abstract: This study examines sustainability and gender dynamics of coffee value-chain development intervention in Ethiopia. The data were collected from male and female farmers and other stakeholders using key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and a questionnaire survey. The study found that some of the introduced technologies/practices were adopted and sustained whereas others were dropped or adapted depending on technical, institutional, and socio-economic factors. The value-chain intervention was generic and not gender-sensitive. Although the intervention generated positive changes and benefits for all household members (by improving coffee quality, market access, and their income), it had mixed outcomes for women. Although women were not primarily targeted by the intervention, their increased involvement in coffee harvesting and processing fostered women’s skills, confidence, and decision-making power. However, some of the new technologies/practices required additional labour, while others were labour saving and eased their work. As a result of increasing the wholesale trading of coffee, the role for marketing largely shifted to men. This study underscores the need for a proper gender analysis and embedding gender-sensitive approaches in designing development interventions to ensure women’s fair representation, and thus equitable and sustainable benefits. Such efforts should entail a paradigm shift from production to promoting women’s role and integration into the entire value chain, as well as improving their access to productive resources and services. Moreover, value-chain development interventions should consider technical, institutional, social, and economic factors that could influence their effectiveness and sustainability.

Keywords: coffee; value chain; coffee processing; sustainability; gender; Ethiopia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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