Mainstreaming Gender and Youth in Smallholder Sustainable Coffee Supply Chain in Kenya

Abstract

This paper presents extracts of a study and focuses on the role of women and youth in managing supply chain risks associated with smallholder coffee farming in Kenya. The paper provides elements of the linkage between gender and youth mainstreaming in managing risks related to production, quality and consistency of coffee supply. It focuses on determining gender distribution and roles at smallholder farming in the coffee supply chain in Kenya, factors militating against effective participation of women and youth, and how they can effectively participate in the coffee supply chain. The study carried out in central highlands of Kenya has shown that there are more male household heads (77.6%) but with a lower average age of 59.3 as compared to that of female household heads at 63 years in the coffee growing areas. Predominantly, coffee and land are in the hands of male household heads but only as preferred trustees on behalf of the whole household. Women and youth still provide unpaid labour in coffee production and supply, and are mainly engaged in alternative enterprises to earn income for their daily household livelihoods. However, new technologies are beginning to facilitate participation of women in coffee farming. In summary the study confirmed that successful coffee supply chains depend on the willingness of all chain actors to communicate, coordinate and collaborate, and to which mainstreaming gender and youth is crucial in ensuring sustainability.

Keywords: Coffee, Coffee Supply Chain, Sustainability, Agriculture, Mainstreaming, Women, Youth, Gender, Risk factors, Smallholder, Farming, Kenya