Gendered Land Use Decision-Making and Income Control in Avocado Farming: A Case Study of the Southern Highlands of Tanzania

Abstract

The growing demand for avocados in Tanzania has led to land reallocation and changes in agricultural practices, particularly in the Southern Highlands, where land is being increasingly dedicated to avocado farming. This study addresses the gap in the existing literature by investigating intra-household decision-making regarding land sales and allocations for avocado farming, as well as income management, with a focus on gender dynamics and their implications for gender equality. The study used an explanatory sequential design to collect quantitative data through structured interviews with 151 respondents and qualitative data through focus group discussions. The study’s findings showed that more than half of the respondents (69.5%) reported that men within households made decisions regarding land sales and allocation for avocado farming exclusively. Additionally, approximately 70.2% of the respondents stated that men predominantly made decisions about how to use the income earned from avocado sales. Furthermore, most households (99.3%) reported no conflicts over decisions, with women often choosing silence to maintain family harmony. The study recommends that the Tanzanian government implement well-organized and integrated awareness campaigns and interventions to mitigate the negative influence of the social and cultural factors that deter women from participating in decision-making on land and money use.