Hidden Overburden of Female-Headed Households in Guar Bean Production: Zimbabwean Experience (Report‪)‬

Abstract The study was done on a guar bean-growing project in Makachi area, Zimbabwe. The study objectives were to determine ownership of resources, time spent on production and access to information by male-headed and female-headed households. Data collection and analysis were based on the FAO Gender Analysis Framework. Results showed that male-headed households had more ownership of resources and spent less time on production; access to information was equal; female-headed households allocated a greater proportion of their land to guar bean production and matched their male counterparts in the mean yield. While inter-household exchanges helped female-headed households access draft power and farming equipment, obligations associated with these exchanges were found to be a source of overburden to female-headed households.