Allo Value Chain from Gender Prospective
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Central Department of Rural Development Tribhuvan Univeristy, Kathmandu
Abstract
Gender responsive and socially inclusive value chain development is progressively
realized for sustainable economic growth of Nepal. The thesis is designed to analyze
the social dimension and gender perspective in relation to value chain analysis and
development of Allo subsector in Myagdi district. Using qualitative research
approach, the thesis presented Allo Value chain from gender prospective and analyzed
the social dimension and gender perspective in relation to value chain of Allo
subsector in Myagdi district. The study had two major objectives. The first one was to
prepare gender sensitive value chain map of Allo. Secondly it aimed to conduct
gender analysis with respects to division of labor, access and control over resources
and benefits, level of participation in decision making, power relations and
empowerment level in Allo value chain. Qualitative research tools, such as two Focus
Group Discussions, 23 semi structure interviews, 15 Key Informant Interviews and
field observation were carried out during May 2015 to June 2015 to collect primary
data. Secondary data also collected from relevant sources. Data were analyzed using
Miles and Huberman framework's to analyze qualitative data.
The research finding shows that indigenous women are the main actors of the Allo
value chain in Myagdi. Out of all actors, nearly 93 percent are women, 72 percent
Janjati and 20 percent are Dalit. About 95 percent of the actors belong to
Disadvantage Group (DAG). Women disadvantage people's involvement is
significantly higher in lower level of the value chain such as harvesting, primary
processing, Yarn producing and weaving whereas men's involvement significantly
high in trading (village level as well as in district level trading). Out of all traders
women's proportion is 43 percent in village level and 38 percent district in district
level. The lower level of value addition is tedious, labor intensive, consume lots of
time. Therefore, there is no incentive for well off people to get involved. It is found
that disadvantage groups have few other opportunities to make cash income, the
women and disadvantage group devote their time in Allo processing. The commercial
production of Allo product is virtually exists in Myagdi district.
There is no controlled over resources by certain group of people. The resource is
jointly control by the all users of Community Forest User Group. The research found
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that money flow is not equally distributed among actors and is not based on how
much of cost is adding to develop the product. Lack of market information, low
bargaining power and access to finance prevents women getting into trading business.
It is found that decision regarding Allo plant collection is made by the male and
female jointly in informal meeting. Social as well as economic empowerment has
been observed in women and disadvantage group due to economic benefit of locally
available resources, technical skill training, interlinked with the marketing channel.
The main weaknesses in the value chain are poorly organized collection and the
rudimentary methods of fiber extraction, and spinning which leads to low quality of
yarn. Similarly, there is lack of product diversification, and variety in terms of
designs. The study comes up with few recommendations. The critical factor seems the
need to upgrade the quality of processed fiber and yarn using improved methods and
equipment. Integrating women producers into the supply chain of the members of fair
trade would benefit from their extensive experience on new product development, and
export of handicraft items to the overseas markets.