POULTRY VALUE CHAIN FINANCING AS A DRIVER OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT IN ZIMBABWE: A QUALITATIVE INQUIRY

Abstract

Women contribute over 70% of Zimbabwe’s agricultural production, yet their participation in rural development remains constrained by limited access to resources, markets, land, and finance. This study examines how poultry value chain financing (VCF) influences women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe’s poultry sector. A qualitative research design was employed, involving nine purposively selected participants, including government officials, representatives of farmers’ unions and poultry associations, and both broiler and layer poultry farmers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six-step framework, supported by NVivo 14 software. Findings indicate that VCF enhances women’s engagement in poultry farming by providing targeted financial support aligned with the sector’s low-capital and home-based characteristics. However, entrenched socio-cultural norms and women’s limited control over financial resources continue to restrict their decision-making autonomy and managerial influence. The study highlights that while poultry value chain financing facilitates economic inclusion, achieving genuine empowerment requires broader structural and cultural transformation. These insights have important implications for gender-responsive financial policies and inclusive agricultural development in Zimbabwe.