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Understanding women’s roles and trade potential along the soybean-to-poultry regional value chain: Case studies from Malawi and South Africa

Making the African Continental Free Trade Area work for women

Year of publication 2024

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 34 p.

Author Roberts, S.; Nsomba, G.; Shedi, O.;

Publisher FAO ; International Trade Centre (ITC) ;

Product type Booklet

Synopsis (short abstract) THE AfCFTA has the potential to spur industrialization, boost RVCs and increase the participation and inclusion of women in intraregional trade and the economy. However, for regional soybean-to-poultry value chains, harnessing this potential is limited by several factors. While women do participate in these value chains, their participation is relatively fragmented with little activity towards scaling up production activities, building capabilities and reaching markets beyond borders.This qualitative study assesses gender dynamics along the soybean-to-poultry value chain in Malawi and South Africa, focusing particularly on women’s roles, barriers and trade potential. The paper combines in-depth interviews with desktop research and draws on the existing knowledge base at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED) on poultry Regional Value Chains, barriers to entry and obstacles to women’s participation in markets.The findings indicate that Soybean-to-poultry value chains are highly concentrated in the countries studied. Large producers dominate downstream production of poultry products and links to retail outlets as formal routes to market. The same producers are also integrated into poultry feed production and breeding for the supply of day-old chicks. Interviews conducted in Malawi and South Africa suggest little participation by women producers at more than one level of the value chain, which limits their ability to add value and contribute to value chain development.The various factors affecting the inclusion of women in regional soybean-to-poultry value chains point to the need for a package of measures (including mobilizing resources) to unlock the potential the AfCFTA presents for RVCs in the context of empowering women producers, processors and traders in the agrifood sector.

Cite this content as:

Nsomba, G., Shedi, O. and Roberts, S. 2024. Understanding women’s roles and trade potential along the soybean-to-poultry regional value chain: Case studies from Malawi and South Africa – Making the African Continental Free Trade Area work for women. Rome, FAO & ITC.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cc8570en

Language English

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