Village poultry consumption and marketing in relation to gender, religious festivals and market access

Abstract

This study was conducted in three different locations to understand poultry consumption and marketing in relation to gender, socio-cultural events and market access in Tigray, Ethiopia. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected over a period of 12 months. Results show that market access was linked to shorter market chain and higher prices for the producers. The majority of producers and sellers are women, but men dominate the group of intermediaries. This is due to men's greater access to financial resources, market information, and ability to take risks. The sale and consumption per family member is between 25 to 66 percent higher in female-headed household compared to male-headed households. Women are more likely to have control over the money from their own sales than when men do the selling for them. According to previous studies women also tend to spend their money on family needs. Men tend to become more involved in selling poultry only when market access increases. Improving market access can improve poor households.