A STUDY ON THE CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN FARMERS IN CHONGWE DISTRICT

Abstract

Women farmers play a critical role in the agriculture sector. Their contribution to national food 
security cannot be over emphasized. A research on the challenges faced by women farmers in 
Chongwe district was conducted and targeted a total of fifty women farmers who were randomly 
selected. This research highlighted the major challenges women in agriculture sector world over 
face. 
The need to access information and training is critical in order for women farmers to keep up 
with the current world economic trends. The need to access land that is titled and or documented 
is a plus as well as this means that women farmers are able to borrow against their title. Access 
to finance was another critical issue women farmers have no capacity to provide collateral to the 
financial service institutions furthermore banks continue to demand for collateral that women are 
unable to provide. 
Readily available markets are also a critical although currently seem to be just selling to markets 
and super markets and finally technology has proved almost impossible as the high cost do not 
make it attractive for the women farmers. Basing on the research findings, it is therefore vital for 
government and stakeholders to work together in order to address these challenges. 
It is also important for chiefs and governments to priorities land for women farmers to grow their 
crops. Financial service institutions should also be flexible enough to provide asset financing to 
women farmers. There is need to identify and provide more readily available markets and finally 
there is need for private sector to affordable mechanized solutions for women farmers that will 
be conducive and easy to use and adapt.