Gendered aspects of well irrigation in Kahe, Kilimanjaro Gender and irrigation workshop Dar es salaam 22nd March 2016

The research 2 months 40? Semi-structured interviews in Kahe and Mabogini ward in Kilimanjaro region One focus group discussion with women Observations and unstructured interviews

Background and history Before Lower Moshi scheme: rice irrigation After: rain-fed maize Wells for domestic use are common Decreasing rainfall + availability of pumps Wells are increasingly used for irrigation

Benefits of wells From 1 to >2 cropping seasons Increased food security through supplementary irrigation in the rainy season From maize to horticultural crops  commercialization of agriculture

Typologies of well-agriculture Maize/beans rotation on <3 acres (food) Maize and tomatoes on <3 acres (food+) Primarily tomatoes and onions on >3 acres (commercial) Large scale commercial onion and tomato production, often on rented land of >3 acres (commercial+)

Main challenges High cost of inputs (fertilizer, pesticides, seeds, labour) for the cultivation of high-value crops Lack of knowledge on the cultivation of horticultural crops, leading to possible over- or under-use of chemicals Volatile market for perishable crops leading to insecure returns

Gendered access to wells Having a well to use Equal access for men and women Having a pump to irrigate Indications that women are less likely to have a pump if unmarried or widowed  capital constraints Operating a pump is considered to be part of “mfumo dume”  male system; aka men’s work

Gendered access to benefits of wells 1 Biggest benefiters (commercial+) are rarely women Women-headed households are less likely to grow high-input crops

Gendered access to benefits of wells 2 Women are the ones tasked with fetching water The existence of wells reduces this task It is not yet clear what the gained time is spent on

Gendered access to benefits of wells 3 Men ultimately control the profits of the sale of crops Women carry final responsibility for seeds, food and care of the children and the house

Some conclusions Well+pump irrigation is possibly less gendered than canal irrigation because of its individual character (no male dominated committees or forced night irrigation) The main obstacle for smallholders to benefit fully from the secure water supply is lack of capital and secure returns – which is especially strong for women