Gender Analysis of the Pigeon Pea Value Chain: Case Study of Malawi

The study analyzed the pigeon pea value chain using a rapid assessment approach and the Integrating Gender into Agricultural Value Chains (INGIA-VC) framework. The INGIA-VC framework consists of five phases, focusing on value chain analysis, gender-based constraints and opportunities, and impact assessment. The study identified gender-based constraints and opportunities at various nodes of the value chain, including production, marketing, and processing. Key findings from the study revealed that women-headed households showed higher adoption rates for sustainable agriculture practices, while men-headed households faced higher costs for mechanical land preparation. The study also highlighted the importance of addressing gender-based constraints and opportunities to scale up multipurpose legumes in Malawi. The study's findings have implications for food systems innovations, particularly in addressing gender-based constraints and opportunities. The design and implementation of innovative solutions must take into account the sociocultural and gender diversity that exists among smallholder farmers and actors. The study's recommendations include providing gendered incentives to participate at post-production levels of the value chain and addressing constraints along the value chain. The study's methodology involved a rapid assessment approach and the INGIA-VC framework, which examined value chain analysis, gender-based constraints and opportunities, and impact assessment. The study's results have implications for scaling up multipurpose legumes in Malawi and addressing gender-based constraints and opportunities.