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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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+)

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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